Di president of Iranian Football Federation, Mehdi Taj, don announce say FIFA don approve di change of Iran World Cup training base from United States to Mexico. According to Taj, di team go now dey based for Tijuana, one border city for Mexico, near Pacific Ocean. Dis decision come after months of uncertainty about Iran participation for di tournament, wey dey co-host by US, Canada, and Mexico.
Taj tok say di change na to avoid visa complications wey dey arise from di US-Israel war on Iran. He add say di squad go fit fly directly to Mexico with Iran Air. Iran go play dema first two Group G matches for Los Angeles – against New Zealand on June 15 and Belgium on June 21 – before dem face Egypt for Seattle on June 26. Taj explain say Tijuana dey closer to di match venues than di earlier planned camp for Tucson, Arizona: “Di distance for di two games wey we get for LA na 55-minute flight, wey dey less compared to Tucson.”
Di original base for Tucson, Arizona, bin raise security concerns because of di ongoing Middle East war. Officials at Tucson Kino Sports Complex no comment. Taj say FIFA bin approve di change after requests and meetings for Istanbul and a webinar with FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafstrom. However, FIFA neva officially confirm di move yet. BBC Sport don approach FIFA for comment.
Earlier dis month, Taj tok say Iran players still dey wait for US visas. Di Iranian FA don present FIFA with 10 conditions for dema participation, including say players, coaches, and officials wey don complete military service with Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) must get visas. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio say Iran players go dey welcome, but individuals wey get links to IRGC fit face entry restrictions. Taj himself bin turn away at Canadian border for April FIFA congress for Vancouver because of IRGC links.
Iran dey currently prepare for di tournament for Antalya, southern Turkey. Dem go play Gambia for friendly on May 29 before coach Amir Ghalenoei name final 26-man squad by FIFA June 1 deadline. Di World Cup go run from June 11 to July 19. Iran dey appear for dema fourth straight World Cup and seventh overall, but dem neva pass first round before.
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