Iran national football team is travelling to Turkey on Monday to complete final preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, including a friendly match and the processing of United States visa applications, according to Iranian media reports.
The team is proceeding with its schedule despite heightened geopolitical tensions involving co-host nation the United States, following a conflict escalation with Iran and its ally Israel earlier in the year.
Although fighting has reportedly been paused under a ceasefire, diplomatic relations remain strained, with ongoing negotiations yet to produce a lasting breakthrough.
Recent drone incidents in Gulf states and renewed warnings from U.S. President Donald Trump have also fuelled concerns about a possible return to hostilities.
The Tasnim news agency reported that the squad “departed this morning for Antalya, Turkey to play its final friendly match before flying to the United States for the 2026 World Cup,” confirming their arrival in the Turkish city for preparations.
According to the report, the delegation includes 22 domestically based players alongside technical staff. Head coach Amir Ghalenoei stated on Saturday that the trip would also be used to complete visa applications for entry into the United States.
On the political front, Trump had previously commented on Iran’s participation, saying, “I think let ’em play,” while addressing concerns over the team’s involvement in the tournament.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio noted that any complications would not relate to Iranian players themselves, but rather “some of the other people (they) would want to bring with them,” suggesting concerns about individuals allegedly linked to Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, which Washington designates as a terrorist organisation.
Tensions were further highlighted last month when members of Iran’s football federation withdrew from the FIFA congress in Canada, claiming they had been “insulted” by immigration officials. One of the officials involved, Mehdi Taj, has previously served in the Revolutionary Guards, which Canada also classifies as a terror group.
The Iranian squad is expected to play two warm-up matches in Antalya, including a confirmed fixture against The Gambia on May 29, according to Sam Mehdizadeh, an Iranian-Canadian organiser who arranges friendlies for the team.
“No visas have been issued yet,” Taj, the head of Iran’s football federation, told Iranian media on Thursday.
Meanwhile, FIFA secretary general Mattias Grafstrom met federation officials in Turkey over the weekend, with both sides describing the talks as constructive.
Once the squad arrives in the United States, their base camp will be set up in Tucson, Arizona.
2026 FIFA World Cup will see Iran placed in Group G, where they are scheduled to open their campaign against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15, followed by fixtures against Belgium in the same city and Egypt in Seattle.
