TEHRAN.- The football team Iran will focus on Türkiye before traveling to USA to participate in the World Cup 2026local media reported this Friday.
“The next phase of the national team’s preparation will take place in Antalya, Turkey,” reported the Iranian website Football360, which specified that the delegation will then travel to Arizona, where Team Melli will have its base camp.
A ceremony to bid farewell to the team was organized in Tehran on Wednesday.
The players, dressed in official tracksuits, received a popular tribute in Enghelab Square, in the center of Tehran, in which thousands of people participated, according to images offered by state media.
In Türkiye and to complete its preparation, the Iranian team will face Gambia in a friendly match on May 29 and could even play a second match, although federation officials are trying to finalize a rival and a date.
“It is confirmed for May 29,” he indicated. Sam Mahdizadehan Iranian-Canadian who is in charge of negotiating Team Melli’s friendly matches.
But for now it is unclear when the team will travel to Turkey, as the players must process their visas, although Iranian sports outlet Varzesh3 reported that they are expected to leave on Saturday.
On Thursday, the president of the football federation, Mehdi Tajstated that visas have not yet been issued for the Iranian team to enter USA for the World Cup.
“We have not received any communication from the other party about who has been granted visas. No visa has been issued yet,” Taj declared, according to the state agency IRNA.
Constant communication with Infantino
The head of Iranian football is also expected to hold talks with the president of FIFA, Gianni Infantinowhile Tehran seeks guarantees for its selection in a context of war between Iran and Israelsupported by USA.
Iran will debut in the World Cup against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15, before facing Belgium and Egypt as part of its participation in Group G.
