Iran Trains in Mexico Amid Escalating U.S. World Cup Border Tensions
Iran trains in Mexico as US World – Amid mounting concerns over U.S. border restrictions, Iran’s national football team has relocated its training base to Tijuana, Mexico, to prepare for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The decision comes just days before the squad is scheduled to cross into the United States for their opening match against New Zealand on 15 June. This move reflects the team’s efforts to navigate logistical challenges and security measures imposed by the U.S., which have left 13 members of their delegation stranded without valid visas. Additionally, the entire allocation of 8% match capacity for their three group games has been revoked, leaving the Iranian Football Federation to issue a formal protest over the abrupt change.
FIFA President Confirms Iran’s Participation
At the FIFA Congress in Vancouver last April, President Gianni Infantino took the opportunity to address concerns about Iran’s participation in the 2026 World Cup. Speaking directly to the audience, he declared, “I am confirming, right now, that Iran will be playing in the United States of America. There’s no doubt about that,” aiming to reassure stakeholders. His remarks followed an unannounced appearance at Iran’s warm-up match against Costa Rica in Turkey, where he reiterated that the team would compete. “That’s why we’re here,” Infantino told reporters, emphasizing his confidence in the squad’s readiness. The Iranian sports minister, Ahmad Donyamali, confirmed that Infantino had personally guaranteed Iran’s attendance, despite ongoing visa disputes.
“I’ve seen the team, spoken to the players and coach, so everything is fine,” said Infantino, underscoring his support for the Iranian delegation.
Infantino’s assurances came as a counterpoint to U.S. President Donald Trump’s earlier executive order in June 2025, which barred citizens from 12 countries—including Iran and Somalia—from entering the United States. Trump had publicly stated that Iran was “welcome to compete,” a promise Infantino shared on Instagram to highlight the diplomatic effort. However, the visa restrictions have created a complex scenario for Iran’s technical and administrative staff, who were denied entry to the U.S. for months, forcing the team to adjust its preparation strategy.
Logistical Adjustments and Visa Uncertainty
Iran’s training camp in Tijuana, situated just across the Mexican border from San Diego, is a strategic choice to reduce the distance players need to travel when entering the U.S. for matches. The team’s head coach, Amir Ghalenoei, has scheduled a press conference for 3:45 pm on Monday, 25 June, at the Los Angeles stadium ahead of the opener. This timing aligns with FIFA’s protocol, which requires squad members to arrive a day before the match to meet media obligations. Yet, the uncertainty surrounding visa access has disrupted the team’s timeline. It remains unclear whether players will be allowed into the U.S. solely on match days or one day earlier, as mandated by FIFA’s rules.
Before settling in Mexico, the Iranian squad had trained in Turkey as part of their pre-tournament preparations. Their planned warm-up match against Granada was canceled due to the opponent’s unavailability, further complicating their schedule. The war in the region has already disrupted multiple fixtures, and now the visa crisis adds another layer of difficulty. With the U.S. and Canada co-hosting the World Cup, the designation of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a foreign terrorist organization has accelerated visa processing delays for team officials.
Somali Referee Denied Entry, Raising Concerns
The visa issues extend beyond Iran’s delegation to other nations participating in the tournament. A notable case involves Omar Abdulkadir Artan, a 34-year-old Somali referee who was chosen by FIFA to officiate matches. Artan, who previously earned the title of CAF’s referee of the year in 2025, had been set to make history as the first Somali official to participate in a World Cup. However, he was turned away at Miami airport five days before the tournament began, highlighting the broader immigration challenges affecting the event. FIFA confirmed that Artan’s situation would not change, and he would not be assigned to any matches.
“This decision harms not only him personally but also undermines football’s commitment to fairness, merit, and the spirit of fair play,” remarked Ciise Aden Abshir, Somalia’s senior sports ministry adviser, following the incident.
Artan’s exclusion underscores the impact of U.S. border policies on the global sports community. His role in the CAF Champions League final in Cairo on 1 June 2025 and his contributions to AFCON 2024—where he oversaw key upsets like Tunisia’s defeat to Namibia and Mauritania’s victory over Algeria—had already established his reputation. The refusal to grant him entry raises questions about the consistency of visa policies and their effect on international competitions.
Impact on Team and Tournament Dynamics
Iran’s preparation for the World Cup has faced significant disruption. The loss of their ticket allocation and the visa crisis have forced the team to adapt quickly, relying on Mexico as a temporary training ground. This situation also highlights the broader logistical strain on the tournament, which has seen multiple delegations struggle with border access. While the U.S. has prioritized security checks, FIFA has emphasized that all athletes are subject to individual inspections, a process that has led to delays and frustrations for participants.
Other teams have faced similar challenges. Iraq’s star striker, Aymen Hussein, was detained for approximately seven hours at Chicago O’Hare International Airport during security checks before being cleared to enter. Such incidents illustrate the extent to which border restrictions are affecting not just Iran, but the entire World Cup setup. With the tournament kicking off on 15 June, the question remains whether these obstacles will resolve in time for the matches to proceed without further disruptions.
The Iranian Football Federation’s cancellation of the 8% capacity allocation for matches against New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt has added pressure to the situation. While the exact reasons for the decision are unclear, it reflects the growing tensions between the U.S. and Iran, which have spilled over into the sports arena. As the world watches the 2026 World Cup unfold, the interplay between diplomacy and border control will continue to shape the narrative, testing the resilience of teams and officials navigating these challenges.
