Iran’s men’s national soccer team will use Tucson’s Kino Sports Complex as its training base ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with preparations set to begin in early June.

Amid a recent stretch of hosting professional teams from around the world, local officials say Kino offers an ideal environment for elite international training. The selection follows Kino’s designation as a World Baseball Classic qualifier site last March, further elevating the complex’s profile on the global sports stage.

“We’re excited to be a part of another international, world-class athletic competition and continue growing Kino’s reputation for having elite facilities for multiple sporting events,” Kino Sports Complex Director Sarah Horvath said in a news release. “We’re looking forward to the opportunity to show off Kino and Pima County.”

FIFA identified Kino in December 2024 as a potential base camp for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which is set to be played in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

“Our goal is to be a welcoming camp environment and provide the best possible experience for the team to prepare and be successful in the tournament,” Horvath said.

The 48 teams will be divided into 12 groups of four, with each team playing the other three in its group. The top two teams from each group, along with the eight third-place teams with the most points, will advance to the single-elimination Round of 32.

Iran will play New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15, Belgium in Los Angeles on June 21, and Egypt in Seattle on June 26.

If it advances, the team could remain at Kino through its Round of 32 match. The team will be housed at the Westward Look Wyndham Grand Resort and Spa.

Horvath said multiple community partners played a role in bringing the team to Kino, including FC Tucson, which introduced the base camp opportunity and helped lead the initial pitch presentation.

Visit Tucson signed an agreement with FIFA that enabled the complex to qualify as a training site, while the Southern Arizona Sports, Tourism, & Film Authority supported both agreements and assisted with site tours.

“Landing an opportunity of this magnitude was no easy feat and took everyone working together,” Horvath said. “And our grounds crew works tirelessly to maintain our world-class facilities.”

Ryder Jerome is a student at Ironwood Ridge High School and Tucson Spotlight inter. Follow his work at instagram.com/shot.byryder/

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