Iran's national team completed a perfect pre-World Cup tune-up by defeating Mali 2-0 in an international friendly held in Turkey on June 5. This was the final match for coach Amir Ghalenoei's squad before they relocate to their training base in Mexico later this week.
The goals came from midfielder Saeid Ezatolahi and right-back Ramin Rezaeian, one in each half. The result gives Iran three wins and one loss in four friendlies this year at the resort city of Antalya, Turkey.
These warm-up games have been the only competitive opportunity for domestic-based players since Iran's domestic league was suspended following U.S. and Israeli airstrikes in late February that triggered a regional conflict.
Iranian officials confirmed this week that the entire squad has received visas for entry into Mexico. Iran will leave Turkey on Saturday (June 7) for their training base in the border city of Tijuana, Mexico.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum agreed to host Iran's team after being informed that the U.S. government did not want Iran based at the original camp in Arizona throughout the tournament, running from June 11 to July 19.
However, the Iranian team has yet to receive the necessary visas to enter the U.S. for group-stage matches against New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles, and against Egypt in Seattle.
Iran Football Federation (FFIRI) President Mehdi Taj told local media this week that U.S. visas are the federation's major concern, with the opening match against New Zealand on June 15 drawing near.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on June 3 there is "no issue" with the Iranian team entering the country, but Washington will not allow officials or staff linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to accompany the team.
Both the United States and Canada, co-hosts of the World Cup alongside Mexico, designate the IRGC as a "terrorist entity." Earlier, Mehdi Taj was denied entry into Canada to attend the FIFA Congress in late April due to his ties to the elite military force.
