Iran’s national football team traveled to Antalya, Turkey, on May 18 for a training camp, two friendly matches, and to complete visa procedures for the 2026 World Cup in the United States [1, 2, 3]. The squad consists of 30 players who will be cut to the tournament limit of 26 players before the competition [1, 2, 3].

The team held an earlier training camp in Antalya in March 2026 and will play at least one confirmed friendly against Gambia on May 29 during this visit [1, 2, 3]. Iran hopes to arrange a second friendly as part of its preparations [1, 2, 3].

The best-known player in the squad is 33-year-old Mehdi Taremi, a former Porto striker now playing for Olympiacos [1, 2]. Twenty-two of the players are domestic-based, according to team sources [3].

Head coach Amir Ghalenoei said naming the 30-player squad was his toughest coaching decision. “Selecting 30 players for this final training camp ahead of the World Cup was the most difficult technical decision of my coaching career,” he said, adding, “I had selected players solely on technical criteria” [1].

Because Iran and the U.S. have no diplomatic ties since 1980, the Turkey camp is crucial for completing visa applications. No U.S. visas have been issued yet, and players are expected to undergo fingerprinting in Turkey, avoiding a long 450-kilometer trip to Ankara for the procedure [2]. Football federation head Mehdi Taj said, “No visas have been issued yet,” and players “wished to avoid a trip of more than 450 kilometres from Antalya to Ankara” for visa fingerprinting [2].

Iranian officials also met with Turkish and FIFA representatives in Istanbul to coordinate the camp’s arrangements [2, 3].

Iran secured its place in the World Cup in March 2025 and will base its operations in Tucson, Arizona during the tournament [2, 3]. In the group stage, Iran will face New Zealand on June 15 in Los Angeles, followed by matches against Belgium and Egypt [2].

Despite heightened regional tensions involving the U.S. and Israel, Washington officials have confirmed Iran is welcome at the tournament. On the topic, former U.S. President Donald Trump commented, “I think let ‘em play” [3].