Iran picks Tijuana as World Cup base
The Iranian national team lands in Tijuana early Sunday morning, making the city their official World Cup base camp. The squad departs Antalya, Turkey, on Saturday at 15:20 and touches down at 1:30 a.m. local time, per the team's press service (1).
FIFA approved the switch from Tucson, Arizona, after the U.S. denied visas for Iranian players and staff. Mexico welcomed the move, and it puts Tijuana – and the club's facilities – squarely on the World Cup map.
It's a logistical milestone for the city, even if it doesn't directly touch the Xolos squad. For the club, it's a quiet badge of credibility: your stadium and training ground are good enough for the biggest show on earth.
Meanwhile, the squad itself faces questions. Kevin Castañeda is widely expected to leave for Chivas ahead of the Apertura 2026, taking a key creative piece out of the midfield. With the team sitting 9th after 17 matches, the summer window looms large.