Iran trains under heavy security in unusual World Cup camp in Tijuana

Iran opened its final World Cup preparations in one of the tournament’s most unusual camps, after abandoning its planned training base in Tucson, Arizona, and relocating instead to Club Tijuana’s complex in Tijuana, Mexico. Outside Estadio Caliente, armed men in helmets and masks have been patrolling the area in open vehicles, while access to the training site is tightly controlled, with permits repeatedly checked, practice times kept secret, and information about the team sharply limited.

The move was forced by political and security concerns. Iran had originally been due to stay at the Kino Sports Complex in Arizona, about 640 kilometers away across the international border, but that plan was quickly scrapped. Club Tijuana said it received FIFA’s notice only about two weeks before the Iranians arrived, and then worked around the clock to prepare the site, despite having only one natural-grass field, unlike the synthetic surfaces many local teams use. To welcome the visitors, the club hung a large Persian sign reading, “The Iranian Cheetahs, welcome to Tijuana.”

The team has also received public support from local residents. Around 30 fans gathered outside the complex chanting, “Go Iran! Go Iran!” and asking for autographs. One supporter, 40-year-old law student Lisa Arambula, said, “I am ashamed of what the United States is doing,” adding that Mexico receives guests “with open arms.” Another fan, 28-year-old pizza worker Jose Leiva, who waited hours for Mehdi Taremi’s signature, said politics should stay out of sport and complained, “They treat everyone like terrorists.”

Iran’s preparations were also hurt on the football side. A scheduled warm-up match against Puerto Rico in the United States was canceled after the Arizona plan collapsed, Granada withdrew at the last minute, citing “insufficient preparation,” and Club Tijuana quickly arranged a match against its under-21 team, which Iran won 3-0. FIFA said its representatives met with the president and secretary general of the Iranian federation and that both sides remain committed to cooperation, with the aim of ensuring Iran can compete “safely, smoothly and in the best possible conditions” during the tournament. But problems remain over U.S. entry visas for some team staff, officials and fans under the Trump administration’s stricter immigration policy, and Iran will travel to Los Angeles for FIFA’s official press conference with a much smaller support staff after some media personnel were denied entry.