Iran National Team's World Cup Camp in Tijuana Under Armed Guard
Iran's national football team, known as "Team Melli," has established an improvised World Cup training base in Tijuana, Mexico. This temporary home at Estadio Caliente is operating under armed guard due to reported security fears, visa disputes, and political divisions influencing their tournament preparations. Open-top trucks carrying armed personnel are observed patrolling the roads outside the stadium regularly.
The Iran national football team, Team Melli, has set up an improvised base in Tijuana, Mexico, for its World Cup preparations. The Estadio Caliente serves as their temporary home amid concerns related to security, visa disputes, and political divisions affecting their tournament participation.
Roads surrounding the Estadio Caliente are reportedly patrolled by open-top trucks. These vehicles carry armed individuals in helmets and masks, wielding machine guns, and are observed passing the main entrance every few hours. These patrols are said to guard the city block where the Iranian team is based.
This security presence is described as standard practice in this part of northwest Mexico. The Estadio Caliente itself is located in a region distant from Mexico's primary footballing hubs and is notable for its artificial turf playing surface.
According to The Guardian Sport, these circumstances shape the team's World Cup experience.
