Iran national football team prepares for 2026 World Cup amid visa and security tensions

The Iranian national football team is currently stationed in Tijuana, Mexico, to prepare for the 2026 World Cup. While the White House confirmed that players have received visas to enter the United States for their group stage matches, Iranian authorities have reported that many members of the coaching staff and administrative personnel, including the president of the Football Federation, were denied entry. Iran is scheduled to play New Zealand on June 15 and Belgium on June 21 in Los Angeles, followed by a match against Egypt in Seattle on June 27. Iranian Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali has warned that the team will be instructed to stop any match if symbols or flags other than those of the Islamic Republic of Iran are displayed in the stadiums, or if prohibited slogans are used. Due to the ongoing geopolitical conflict, the team has adopted a strategy of minimizing time spent in the United States, arriving only days before each scheduled match. The training sessions in Mexico are being held behind closed doors until June 11. Despite these diplomatic hurdles, the team has transitioned from training in Turkey to their base in Tijuana to finalize their preparations.