Iranian Soccer Team Prepares for FIFA World Cup Amid Tensions

The Iranian men’s soccer team arrived in Mexico on Sunday, ahead of the FIFA World Cup scheduled to start in four days. The team shared photos on Instagram of their journey, wearing matching white shirts and blue blazers, as they boarded a plane in Antalya, Turkey, on Saturday. They have been training in Turkey in preparation for the World Cup, co-hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.

Upon arrival in Tijuana, Mexico, the team posted images of players stepping off the plane, accompanied by the caption ‘hi Mexico.’ Originally, Iran planned to train in Arizona but changed plans due to visa issues. In May, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum extended an invitation to host the team.

Iran is placed in Group G, with its first match against New Zealand set for June 15 in Inglewood, California. Subsequent matches include playing against Belgium in Inglewood on June 21 and Egypt in Seattle on June 26.

Iran’s World Cup participation was in question after the U.S. and Israel conducted strikes against the country in late February. President Trump expressed concerns about the Iranian team competing, citing safety risks. However, the Iranian team countered these remarks in March, emphasizing that FIFA, not the U.S., governs the event. By April, Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that while Iranian players are permitted entry into the U.S., other individuals, particularly those associated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), might not be allowed.

The New York Times reported last Friday that although Iranian players received U.S. visas for the World Cup, over a dozen support staff members had their visa applications denied. This includes coaches, trainers, analysts, and medical personnel. Additionally, Mehdi Taj, president of the Iranian soccer federation and a former IRGC commander, also faced visa rejection by the U.S. government.