ROME (ITALPRESS) – According to local media, Iran departed Monday for Turkey for a friendly match before traveling to the United States to participate in the World Cup (June 11-July 19). “The Iran national football team, consisting of 22 players and the coaching staff, left this morning for Antalya, Turkey, to play their last friendly match before flying to the United States for the 2026 World Cup,” the Tasnim news agency reported. Iran hopes to play two friendlies in Antalya, although so far only one match against Gambia has been confirmed, on May 29. The players are also expected to use their stay in Turkey to complete their visa procedures for the United States, amid the ongoing conflict between Tehran and Washington. Iranian Football Federation President Mehdi Taj said last Thursday that visas have not yet been issued to the Iranian national team, while Tehran is seeking guarantees that its delegation will obtain the visas necessary to stay in the United States.
FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafstroem, however, called the meeting held on Saturday in Istanbul with the Iranian FA to secure Iran’s participation in the tournament “very constructive.” Iran, drawn in Group G, will set up their base camp in Tucson, Arizona, before making their tournament debut on June 15 in Los Angeles against New Zealand. Iran will then face Belgium on June 21, before concluding the group stage against Egypt on the 26th in Seattle.
– photo IPA Agency –
(ITALPRESS).
