Tucson, Arizona has been selected as the base camp for Iran's national football team, Team Melli, during the 2026 FIFA World Cup hosted by the US, Mexico, and Canada [1, 2]. The Kino Sports Complex in Tucson is being readied with FIFA-standard pitch maintenance and enhanced security measures to accommodate the Iranian squad [1, 2].
Sarah Hanna, director of the Kino Sports Complex, said, "We’re just excited to host them here, and we’re going to give them a positive experience" [1]. She added that "since they’ve been identified as the team, we’ve been moving forward as them as our team until we hear something different from FIFA" [2].
The preparations come amid heightened tensions following an armed conflict launched by the US and Israel against Iran on February 28, 2026 [2]. Despite the ongoing hostilities, FIFA has confirmed Iran's participation in the World Cup as scheduled [2].
In March 2026, former US President Donald Trump publicly expressed doubts over Iran's involvement, citing concerns for the players' safety [1, 2]. Meanwhile, Iran’s football federation president confirmed the team's commitment to participate, specifying requirements related to visas and the treatment of coaching staff [2].
Tucson finalized its preparations in May 2026, ensuring the training facilities and security protocols meet international standards ahead of the World Cup kickoff next month [1, 2].
