The update says Iran have shifted their tournament base from Tucson to Tijuana, a move that underlines how serious the uncertainty has become. On paper, Tijuana offers a practical solution: close to the border, connected to the wider tournament map, and capable of serving as a holding base while paperwork is sorted.
But even a short-notice relocation can disrupt routine.
At a World Cup, marginal details matter. Teams spend months trying to control them. Iran may now have to improvise.
The football calendar is unforgiving. The report says Iran open Group G against New Zealand in Los Angeles on 15 June, return to Los Angeles to face Belgium on 21 June, and then finish the group stage against Egypt in Seattle on 26 June.
That schedule leaves little room for drift.
If visa issues linger, the danger is not only logistical. It is competitive.
This is no longer just about where Iran sleep before the tournament. It is about whether preparation can remain stable enough for the team to arrive sharp, settled and ready for a demanding group.
The next key marker is simple: whether the squad can move cleanly from Tijuana into the US in time for that opener with New Zealand. Until then, the logistics may be as important as the tactics.