Iran's World Cup preparations have taken an unexpected logistical turn, with the country's football federation president confirming on Saturday that their 2026 tournament training base has been moved from the United States to Mexico.

The relocation was granted approval by FIFA, according to the head of Iran's governing football body, who announced the switch over the weekend.

The change means Iran will set up their pre-tournament camp in Mexico — specifically in Tijuana, the border city that sits just across from the United States — rather than on American soil ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026, which is jointly hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico.