A base in Tijuana would give Iran a foothold inside the tournament environment from the start.
That matters in a competition where small logistical gains can protect energy levels. Even before a ball is kicked, teams are trying to reduce friction: shorter transfers, clearer schedules and fewer surprises.
The 2026 World Cup will be the first with 48 teams, and that expansion changes the planning. North America offers world-class infrastructure, but the distances are still vast. A squad can lose freshness in airports as easily as on the training pitch.
That is why base-camp decisions are becoming part of football strategy. Coaches want controlled workloads. Staff want stable recovery windows. Federations want fewer moving parts once the tournament begins. If the report is accurate, Iran’s shift from Arizona to Tijuana reflects exactly that wider calculation.
The update also points to flexibility. Early plans are useful, but they are not sacred. Strong tournament preparation often means reacting quickly when a better option emerges.
For Iran, the next big variable will be the draw and the geography of their group-stage schedule. Once host cities are locked in, the value of any base can be judged properly. Between now and then, this is one of the clearest signs yet that at World Cup 2026, logistics may shape margins almost as much as talent.