Overview
- FIFA and Iran’s federation, following Saturday’s very constructive Istanbul meeting, reaffirmed a shared plan to ensure Iran competes at the 2026 tournament.
- The national team has left for Antalya to train and complete U.S. visa steps, and no visas had been issued as of late last week, the federation said.
- Iran targets arrival at its base in Tucson, Arizona, by June 5 and is slated to face New Zealand on June 15 in Los Angeles, Belgium on June 21, and Egypt on June 26 in Seattle.
- Heightened strain between Tehran and Washington and recent fighting in the region have fueled debate in the U.S. over Iran’s participation, even as FIFA says the team will play.
- Iran and the United States have no formal diplomatic relations, which means the squad must process U.S. entry visas in Turkey.