Iran's national football team arrived in Antalya, Turkiye, on May 18 for a pre-World Cup training camp ahead of the tournament in the United States [1, 2, 3]. The squad includes 22 players and coaching staff preparing for their first group stage matches in Arizona [2].
Iran is drawn in Group G alongside Belgium, Egypt, and New Zealand [2, 3]. Their opening match is set against New Zealand on June 15 or 16 in Los Angeles, followed by games against Belgium in Los Angeles on June 21 and Egypt in Seattle on June 26 [2, 3].
The team has yet to secure all US visas required for entry during the World Cup tournament. Head coach Amir Ghalenoei confirmed on May 16 that the team will apply for these visas while training in Turkiye [2]. Despite longstanding diplomatic breaks and military conflicts between Iran and the US since 1980, US officials have welcomed Iran’s participation. Secretary of State Rubio noted concerns focus on some officials suspected of ties to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, not the players themselves [2].
Iran plans to play at least two friendly matches in Turkiye before the World Cup, including a confirmed match against Gambia on May 29 [2]. However, the team faced further challenges internationally as officials boycotted a FIFA conference in Canada, citing insults by Canadian immigration authorities [2]. FIFA Secretary General Jesper Moller met Iran Football Federation president Ali Tahaji in Istanbul for constructive talks [2].
An Iranian sports journalist, Hatem Shiralizadeh, said political tensions and possible protests could negatively impact Iran’s World Cup performance. He stated, "The atmosphere of the World Cup will definitely not be in favor of Iran because of recent developments, tensions between Iran and the US and other issues," adding, "If we say recent developments and possible protests in stadiums will not affect the national team, that would not be true." Still, he acknowledged football’s unpredictability and said, "Iran can still make history on a good day and qualify for the knockout stage for the first time" [3].
The ongoing military conflict involving the US, Israel, and Iran has also disrupted Iran’s domestic football league [3]. The conflict escalated with US and Israeli bombing attacks on Iran on February 28 and a temporary ceasefire took effect on April 8 [2].
Iran’s next confirmed event is the friendly match against Gambia in Turkiye scheduled for May 29 before the team travels to the United States for the June World Cup group stage matches [2].
