Iran squad departs for Turkiye amid US visa uncertainty
Thousands gather in Tehran for kit unveiling as delegation faces potential entry barriers linked to Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps designations
Iran’s national football squad departed for a training camp in Turkiye on Wednesday following a public sendoff rally in Tehran, an event held against a backdrop of significant uncertainty regarding the team’s ability to enter the United States for the 2026 World Cup. Thousands of fans gathered at Enqelab Square to witness the unveiling of the team’s 2026 kit and offer support before the squad travels to Antalya for pre-tournament preparations.
The Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI) described the gathering as the strongest show of support in recent history. Mehdi Taj, the federation’s president, told state television that the players remain connected to the public and expressed hope that the national flag would be raised at the tournament, regardless of the final sporting outcome. The squad is scheduled to play a warm-up match against The Gambia on 29 May as part of their final preparations.
Despite the celebratory atmosphere, the delegation’s path to the United States remains complicated by ongoing geopolitical tensions and security designations. Iran’s participation in the tournament has been in question since the onset of a regional conflict involving the US and Israel on 28 February. The situation was further complicated earlier this year when an FFIRI delegation, led by Taj, was denied entry to Canada due to alleged ties with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), causing them to miss a pre-tournament FIFA gathering in Vancouver.
The IRGC is classified as a terrorist organisation by both Canada and the United States. In the US, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has stated that individuals with ties to the group would be denied admission. This regulatory environment has raised concerns that Iranian players and officials may face similar entry barriers when attempting to travel to the US, where the team is scheduled to play all three of their group stage matches.
FFIRI officials have placed the responsibility for securing visas firmly with FIFA. Hedayat Mombeini, the federation’s secretary-general, stated at the rally that no visa information had been received as of Wednesday. He expressed hope that promises made by FIFA would result in timely approvals, allowing the players to travel without further delay. The federation is also arranging an additional friendly match during the training camp in Turkiye to maintain momentum ahead of the tournament.
