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Iran's national team is preparing for the 2026 World Cup amid a war between the United States and Israel, facing visa delays, a relocated training base, and mental strain. Players speak of representing their country under extraordinary political pressure, with matches scheduled across the U.S.
Iran's national football team has received visas for the 2026 World Cup co-hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. The Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran confirmed the development after negotiations with diplomatic and organizing bodies. The team can now focus on preparing for the tournament without administrative hurdles.
Iran's national football team will leave for Mexico on Saturday, June 6, to prepare for the 2026 World Cup, even though their US visas are still pending. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has vowed to deny entry to anyone linked to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The team will play their opening matches in Los Angeles and Seattle.
Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed that her government has allowed Iran's national football team to set up a training base in Mexico during the 2026 World Cup after the US refused to host the team overnight. The team will play all its group-stage matches in the US but will train in Tijuana, near San Diego. The move comes amid ongoing conflict in Iran involving the US and Israel.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced Mexico will host Iran’s national football team for the 2026 World Cup after the US refused due to safety concerns amid ongoing US-Israel-Iran conflicts. Iran’s team will move its training base from Tucson, Arizona, to Tijuana, Mexico, to avoid visa issues. The war has caused thousands of casualties and economic disruptions globally.
With the domestic league suspended since March due to war with the US and Israel, most Iranian players have not played for months, leaving coach Amir Ghalenoei concerned about fitness ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Ghalenoei said a three-week training camp in Turkey can help compensate for the lack of match fitness. Iran will play a friendly against Gambia before finalizing its World Cup squad.
Iran's Football Federation announced a 30-player preliminary squad for the 2026 World Cup, notably omitting veteran striker Sardar Azmoun after his alleged 'disloyalty' to the government. The team will train in Turkey and face New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt in Group G.
Iran's football federation president says the national team has not yet received US visas to attend the 2026 World Cup, with less than a month to go before the tournament begins. The team is set to undergo fingerprinting in Turkey as part of the process, while diplomatic tensions between Iran and the US continue. Iran will face New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt in Group G.
Thousands of fans gathered at Enqelab Square in Tehran to cheer and bid farewell to the national football team as it departed for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, amid unresolved visa issues and diplomatic tensions with the United States. The team will travel to Turkey for training before competing in the tournament hosted across the US, Canada, and Mexico.
