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The Iranian men's national team landed in Mexico on Sunday, but visa hurdles for several support staff, tied to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, threaten to disrupt their tournament build‑up.
The Iranian national team’s build‑up for the tournament has been complicated by missing visas, a critique of FIFA’s processing and a controversial relocation of its camp.
Visa complications force Iran’s national soccer squad to train in Mexico, sparking criticism of FIFA and raising questions about participation amid U.S. political pressure.
A look at the visa complications that forced Iran’s national team to relocate to Tijuana, the criticism of FIFA’s processing, and the upcoming fixtures against New Zealand, Belgium and Egypt.
After a turbulent buildup marked by war‑time strain and bureaucratic setbacks, Iran’s footballers have moved their preparation camp from Tucson to Tijuana, where they hope to focus on the upcoming World Cup.
Despite visa delays and the shadow of conflict, Iran’s national side has shifted its preparation base to Tijuana, with veteran defender Ehsan Hajsafi leading the way.
A brief look at the challenges faced by Iran’s national team as they navigate security checks, fan presence and a new training base on the U.S. border
Iran's national football team departed for Mexico amid a dispute over U.S. visa applications, with key staff still awaiting entry and the federation accusing Washington of vindictive behavior. The squad, reshaped after a training location change, is set to play New Zealand, Belgium and Egypt across the United States, while political rhetoric from both sides intensifies.
Despite lingering visa delays and geopolitical strain, Iran's national football team is pressing ahead with preparations for the upcoming World Cup, with key matches scheduled across the United States.
A symbolic send‑off at Antalya airport saw players press their lips to the Quran before boarding flights to Tijuana, where they will compete in the World Cup.
The Iranian national team departed from Turkey’s Mediterranean coast, where they honored tradition and connected with supporters ahead of their next match.
Iran’s national football team faces visa hurdles, moves its training base to Tijuana, and readies for matches against New Zealand and Belgium on U.S. soil.
Iran's national football squad left for the World Cup in Mexico under a cloud of visa disputes, diplomatic accusations, and a reshaped training base, setting the stage for a tense tournament.
Iran's national football team faces visa delays, a relocated training base and geopolitical pressure as they gear up for World Cup matches in the United States.
The Iranian national football team is set to depart Turkey for a training base in Mexico as it contends with U.S. visa delays, a reshaped schedule and outspoken political criticism.
The Iranian national football team is set to depart Antalya for Tijuana ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but visa refusals for several officials threaten their participation in the upcoming matches.
Iran has announced a 26‑player squad for the upcoming World Cup, featuring 17 domestic-based athletes whose clubs have been idle since February due to the regional conflict. The lineup highlights Mehdi Taremi while excluding Sardar Azmoun, whose recent online activity reportedly displeased Iranian authorities. The team will train in Antalya before relocating to Tijuana to navigate U.S. visa hurdles, and will compete in Group G against New Zealand, Belgium and Egypt, with a possible showdown against the United States in the round of 32.
With the United States refusing to host Iran’s team, Mexico steps in, moving the squad to Tijuana to avoid visa issues and addressing safety concerns raised by former President Donald Trump.
Despite being left out of Iran’s World Cup roster for political reasons, Sardar Azmoun publicly expressed solidarity with his teammates, as the national side confronts logistical and diplomatic challenges in the United States.
Iran’s national football team is heading to Turkey for a final friendly and visa processing ahead of the 2026 World Cup in the United States, navigating geopolitical strain and U.S. assurances of welcome.