Iran will set up their World Cup base camp in Tijuana after FIFA approved a request to move the team from Arizona, according to Iran Football Federation president Mehdi Taj.
Taj said the team will stay in the Mexican border city, which sits near the Pacific coast and close to the United States border. He shared the update in a video posted on the federation’s Telegram account.
He explained that the change would help the team avoid possible visa issues. It would also allow the squad to fly directly to Mexico using Iran Air services.
FIFA has not yet made an official comment on the matter.
Iran will begin their Group G campaign against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15. Their second match will also take place in Los Angeles against Belgium on June 21. They will then travel to Seattle to face Egypt on June 26.
Taj said the travel time from Tijuana to Los Angeles is around 55 minutes by air. He added that the new base is closer to their match venues than the earlier plan in Arizona.
Iran have faced several questions in recent months about travel and security plans for the tournament, which will take place across the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Iranian officials said earlier this month that players and staff members had still not received U.S. visas, even with less than a month left before the tournament begins.
Taj said the federation had asked FIFA for clear guarantees on visas, security and the treatment of the Iranian delegation.
This year’s World Cup will run from June 11 to July 19.
