Iran will base its World Cup squad in the Mexican border city of Tijuana after FIFA approved a request to relocate the team's training camp from Arizona, according to the head of the country's football federation.
"We will be based in the Tijuana camp, which is near the Pacific Ocean and on the border between Mexico and the United States," Iran's soccer federation President Mehdi Taj said in a video posted on Telegram.
Taj explained that the decision was taken to reduce visa-related difficulties and confirmed that the team would be able to travel directly to Mexico using Iran Air flights.
FIFA did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Match Schedule and Logistics
Iran will play their first two Group G fixtures in Los Angeles, facing New Zealand on June 15 and Belgium on June 21, before meeting Egypt in Seattle on June 26.
"The total distance between us and the venue of our games in Los Angeles is 55 minutes by flight," Taj said, adding that Tijuana is closer to the match locations than the previously planned base in Arizona.
Visa and Security Concerns
Iran has been dealing with months of uncertainty over travel and security logistics ahead of the tournament, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Officials in Tehran said this month that players and staff had still not been issued U.S. visas less than a month before kickoff.
Taj said FIFA had been asked to provide guarantees regarding visas, security arrangements, and the treatment of the Iranian delegation.
The World Cup runs from June 11 to July 19.