Iran’s national soccer team players stand onstage as they are greeted by a crowd during a pro-government gathering before their departure for training and friendly matches in Turkey ahead of the World Cup at Islamic Revolution Square in Tehran, Iran. AP
FIFA has not confirmed the move.
Team IR Iran was originally scheduled to train in Tucson, Arizona, but a move has been a possibility because of uncertainty surrounding the war in the Middle East and security concerns. Officials in Tucson had no comment.
The team says it will now be based in Tijuana, Mexico, which is just across the border from the U.S.
“All team base camps for the countries participating in the World Cup must be approved FIFA," said a statement attributed to Mehdi Taj, president of the Iran Football Federation.
"Fortunately, following the requests we submitted and the meetings we held with FIFA and World Cup officials in Istanbul, as well as the webinar meeting we had yesterday in the Tehran with the respected FIFA Secretary General, our request to change the team's base from the United States to Mexico was approved.”
Iran is in Group G in the World Cup and will face New Zealand in Inglewood, California, in its first game on June 15.
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