Club Tijuana Welcomes Team Melli as World Cup Training Base

Club Tijuana, the Liga MX football club based in Tijuana, Mexico, has welcomed the decision for Iran’s national team to use the city as its training base during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Iran shifted its planned training base from the United States to Mexico amid ongoing geopolitical tensions and logistical concerns ahead of the tournament.

In an official statement, Club Tijuana said it had been notified by FIFA that Tijuana would play a role in the World Cup by serving as the base camp for the Iranian national team.

The club described Tijuana as a welcoming and hospitable city with a strong sporting culture, saying the city embraces the world through its people, culture, and passion for sports.

Club Tijuana also said Baja California is ready to welcome visitors during the tournament and showcase the region’s border identity on an international stage.

Although Iran’s base camp has been moved to Tijuana, Team Melli is still scheduled to play all three of its Group G matches in the United States.

Iran opens against New Zealand at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, on June 15, before facing Belgium at the same venue on June 21 and Egypt in Seattle on June 26.