Iran heads to Türkiye before World Cup

Iran's national football team left for Türkiye on Monday for a friendly match before heading to the United States to participate in the 2026 World Cup, Iranian media reported, citing AFP.

"Iran's national football team, consisting of 22 players and technical staff, left the country this morning for Antalya, Türkiye, to play its last friendly match before flying to the United States for the 2026 World Cup," the Tasnim news agency reported.

In Antalya, Iran hopes to play two friendly matches, although only one match has been confirmed so far, against Gambia, on May 29, CE Report quotes AGERPRES.

The players are also expected to take advantage of their presence in Türkiye to complete visa applications for the United States, amid the ongoing conflict between Tehran and Washington.

Iran Football Federation President Mehdi Taj said on Thursday that visas had not yet been issued for Team Melli as Tehran sought assurances that its delegation would obtain visas for its stay in the United States.

FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafstroem, however, called a meeting in Istanbul on Saturday with the Iranian federation to secure Iran's participation in the final tournament, which will be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19 "very constructive."

Qualifying for their fourth consecutive World Cup, Iran will set up headquarters in Tucson, Arizona, before opening their campaign on June 15 in Los Angeles against New Zealand.

Iran will then face Belgium on June 21, also in Los Angeles, before concluding their group stage against Egypt on June 26 in Seattle.

PHOTO: INSTAGRAM (TEAMMELLIFOOTBALL)