'Just Before the World Cup' Hasty Official Announcement, 'Base Camp Suddenly Changed' Iran's Plot Twist: "Impossible to Stay in the U.S.... Approved by FIFA"

*This content was translated by AI.

This is a surprise announcement just before the North, Central America and Caribbean World Cup kicks off. The Iranian national team, which has been surrounded by the most noise among all qualified teams, has finally obtained approval from the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) to suddenly change its World Cup base camp from the United States to Mexico.

The British media outlet 'The Guardian' reported on the 24th (Korean time) that Mehdi Taj, president of the Iranian Football Association, officially announced that FIFA has given final approval to the plan to move the World Cup training base camp from the U.S. to Mexico.

Originally, Iran had planned to set up its base camp at Kino Sports Complex in Tucson, Arizona. However, it is understood that the base camp was moved due to the aftermath of the war that broke out in the Middle East recently, severe security concerns arising from it, and the judgment that normal training would be impossible amid tense relations with the U.S. government.

President Taj explained in an official statement, "I held meetings with FIFA and World Cup officials in Istanbul. After a video conference with the FIFA Secretary-General in Tehran, the request to change the base camp from the U.S. to Tijuana, Mexico, was finally approved."

As a result, Iran will set up its base camp in Tijuana, located just south of San Diego, California, and will opt to travel to and from the U.S. via land routes. The previously worried issue of visa issuance for the team will be naturally resolved.

This base camp change incident is an extension of the numerous controversies that have erupted surrounding Iran throughout this World Cup. Iran has faced continuous threats to its very participation in the tournament, including severe internal diplomatic confusion within the country.

Recently, the side of U.S. President Donald Trump stirred up the football world with a radical proposal to expel Iran from the World Cup and replace it with Italy, which failed to qualify, in order to restore diplomatic relations with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, whose relationship had soured during the Middle East war. U.S. Special Envoy Paolo Zampoli admitted to the controversy in an interview with local media, stating, "President Trump proposed to FIFA President Gianni Infantino that Italy should replace Iran and participate in the tournament." At the time, President Trump even warned that it would be difficult to guarantee the personal safety of Iranian players if they entered the U.S.

Internal turmoil within the team also continues. Sardar Azmoun, a key defender for the team, was expelled from the Lee Yu-ro (CEO) team for taking a photo with the Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, who is in an adversarial relationship with the government. Meanwhile, main striker Mehdi Taremi is also under strong pressure from authorities for exchanging jerseys with an Israeli player, making it impossible to maintain a normal team lineup.

Fortunately, at the FIFA Congress held in Vancouver last month, In Pan-ti-no (Chairman) firmly stated, "Contrary to some media speculation, Iran will participate in the World Cup as scheduled. We will play matches normally on U.S. soil to bring people together through football," thereby avoiding the crisis of expulsion.

After many twists and turns, Iran has settled in Mexico and will play its first match against New Zealand in Los Angeles in Group G of the World Cup group stage. After facing Belgium, the team will move to Seattle to play its final match against Egypt.

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*This content was translated by AI.