(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail
Iran Arrives in Mexico Ahead of FIFA World Cup 2026
Iran’s national football team has arrived in Mexico to continue preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which is set to begin this week across the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
The squad landed in the border city of Tijuana after completing a training camp in Türkiye, where players focused on final preparations ahead of the tournament.
Team Settles Into World Cup Base
Iran will use Tijuana as its base throughout the competition. The team is scheduled to play all of its Group G matches in the United States, facing New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt during the opening stage of the tournament.
Upon arrival, players and coaching staff were welcomed under strict security arrangements as they began adjusting to local conditions and time-zone differences.
Coach Highlights Preparation Challenges
Head coach Amir Ghalenoei noted that adapting to the region’s time difference is an important part of tournament preparation and said the team is focused on being fully ready for its opening match.
He thanked football authorities for their assistance during the travel process and emphasized the squad’s commitment to performing at its best on the world stage.
Players Express Confidence
Team captain Ehsan Hajsafi said the players remain focused on football despite various challenges and are eager to begin their World Cup campaign.
Experienced winger Alireza Jahanbakhsh also expressed confidence in the team’s preparations, saying the training camp had helped players build fitness and sharpen tactics ahead of the tournament.
Focus on Football
Iran’s players spent several weeks training before traveling to North America and are now concentrating on their upcoming group-stage matches.
The team will begin its World Cup journey against New Zealand before facing Belgium and Egypt in what is expected to be a competitive group.
Tournament Set to Begin
With the FIFA World Cup 2026 set to get underway, teams from around the world are finalizing preparations and settling into their tournament bases.
Iran will be aiming to make a strong impression and advance beyond the group stage as it competes against some of the world’s leading football nations.
