Iran’s national football team arrived in Türkiye on Monday for a training camp ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, as uncertainty continues to surround the team’s participation following the escalation of tensions after U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran in late February.
Players and officials arrived at Antalya Airport dressed in black team attire before boarding buses to their training base in Belek, a resort town that has hosted numerous international squads for pre-tournament camps.
Despite the uncertainty, FIFA and Iranian football officials have expressed confidence that Iran will compete in the tournament.
FIFA Secretary-General Mattias Grafstrom told Reuters he held a “constructive and positive” meeting with Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI) President Mehdi Taj over the weekend and remains optimistic about Iran’s participation.
Iran are scheduled to play all three Group G matches in the United States during the World Cup, which runs from June 11 to July 19 and is jointly hosted by the U.S., Canada and Mexico.
However, logistical and political concerns have persisted following the conflict escalation involving Iran earlier this year.
Iranian officials and FIFA said visa applications for the squad would be processed in Türkiye. Concerns intensified after FFIRI chief Mehdi Taj was denied entry to Canada for the FIFA Congress in Vancouver earlier this month due to alleged links to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
The United States and Canada classify the IRGC as a terrorist organization and maintain restrictions on individuals linked to the force.
Iran had reportedly requested that its World Cup matches be relocated to Mexico, but FIFA President Gianni Infantino rejected the proposal, insisting all matches remain at their originally designated venues.
The Iranian squad is expected to move to its tournament base at the Kino Sports Complex in Tucson, Arizona, in early June.
Iran are set to open their World Cup campaign against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15, before facing Belgium and Egypt in Group G.