AP exclusive: Iran players describe how the war affects their World Cup preparations
- FIFA approved the FFIRI's request to switch Iran's World Cup base from Tucson, Arizona, to Tijuana, Mexico, with Team Melli arriving on Sunday, June 7.
- Geopolitical tensions following United States and Israeli airstrikes on the Islamic Republic in February complicated travel, as the United States and Canada designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a "terrorist entity."
- United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on Tuesday that Washington had "no problem" with the team entering, though he cautioned against allowing non-athletes with IRGC ties to accompany the delegation.
- Following a final friendly against Mali on Thursday, the squad will commute from Mexico for Group G matches against New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles on June 15 and 21.
- FFIRI President Mehdi Taj said on Monday that players expected Mexican visas this week, adding "and then a US visa will be issued quickly," though official confirmation remains pending.
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45 Articles
The Toronto Star
AP exclusive: Iran players describe how the war affects their World Cup preparations
ANTALYA, Turkey (AP) — Iran is heading to the World Cup while the country is at war with the primary host nation, a situation that is unique in the tournament’s history.
The Iranian national team has moved its World Cup camp from the US state of Arizona to Mexico. Now there is also clarity with regard to entry.
Ideally, the US war against Iran would have ended until the start of the World Cup. However, the co-host is still far away from that. US President Trump comes to this inconvenient situation, because the topic is also a dangerous one on the sporting stage.
The team not only fights with visas for the USA and was banished to Mexico, you also run out of money. In addition, some Iranians would like to see their team lose.
Iran Faces Difficulty in World Cup Race; Visas Issued for Base Camp Mexico... Yet Visas for the U.S. Remain Uncertain Sports Chosun Reporter Park Chan-jun Iran's journey to the 2026 CONCACAF World Cup remains complicated. Although they have secured entry visas for Mexico, where their base camp is located, the situation regarding the U.S., where the finals will actually be held, remains uncertain.
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