Iran confirm World Cup travel plans after training base switch from US to Mexico

Iran’s national football team is set to conclude its World Cup preparations with a behind-closed-doors warm-up match in Turkey on Thursday, before travelling to its tournament base in Mexico on Saturday, the Iranian FA (FFIRI) confirmed.

Despite being an early qualifier, the team’s participation in the global showpiece has been overshadowed by geopolitical tensions, following US and Israeli airstrikes on the Islamic Republic in late February.

The squad has undertaken three friendlies in Antalya since the conflict began – recording a loss to Nigeria and victories against Costa Rica and Gambia. Their final fixture against Mali in the Turkish resort will be held without media presence.

The FFIRI stated: “Considering the importance of the Iranian national football team’s friendly match against Mali, and in line with the tactical objectives of Iran’s head coach, tomorrow’s match against Mali will be held behind closed doors and without media attendance.”

Logistical adjustments have seen Fifa approve the FFIRI’s request to switch the team’s base from Tucson, Arizona, to Tijuana, Mexico.

From there, the squad will commute across the border for their initial Group G matches against New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles. Their final group stage encounter with Egypt is scheduled for Seattle.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio addressed concerns on Tuesday, stating Washington had “no problem” with the Iranian team entering the country. However, he cautioned against allowing officials or staff with links to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to accompany them.

“What we’re not going to allow is for them to embed in their delegation a bunch of people that we know have nothing to do with athletics and have ties to the IRGC or things of that nature, so we were going to watch that very closely,” Mr Rubio told a House of Representatives committee.

Both the US and Canada, co-hosting the World Cup with Mexico, designate the IRGC as a “terrorist entity.” This classification previously led to FFIRI President Mehdi Taj being denied entry to Canada for the FIFA Congress in April due to his alleged ties to the elite military force.

Iran are scheduled to commence their World Cup campaign against New Zealand on 15 June.