Iran’s national soccer team arrives in Tijuana, Mexico, early Sunday ahead of three World Cup matches in the United States, with U.S.-Iran tensions forming the backdrop for the tournament. Multiple outlets report that the squad lands shortly after 5 a.m. local time, crossing from Turkey after a training camp there that lasts roughly three weeks. The team’s hotel in Tijuana is described as heavily secured, with the entrance barricaded and guarded by police and members of the Mexican National Guard, with access restricted to people with reservations or special passes. Reports also say the team receives a warm send-off from supporters in Tijuana. In addition, one outlet notes that Iran’s players are allowed to enter the United States about a day before their matches, according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, reflecting how border and timing arrangements are influenced by the broader geopolitical climate. Several sources frame the move as part of a politically charged environment around the World Cup, while also describing a comparatively relaxed atmosphere inside the team hotel.