Iran's national football team arrived in Mexico on Sunday, facing a challenging diplomatic situation as the United States denied visas to some of their support staff. This incident comes amid ongoing military tensions between the two nations, just days before the start of the 2026 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

Team's Arrival and Concerns

The squad landed at Tijuana airport around 5 am local time after departing from their training camp in Turkey. Coach Amir Ghalenoei expressed frustration over the timing of their arrival, stating, “we should have been here last week because a 12-hour time difference needs two weeks of adjusting.” He emphasized that ethical and human considerations should have been prioritized in this situation, which he felt were not respected.

Upon arrival, the team was met with tight security, including a presence from the Mexican national guard, and a small group of fans waving Iranian flags welcomed them from a distance. Despite being based in Tijuana for the tournament, Iran will play all of its group stage matches in the United States, facing New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt in Los Angeles and Seattle.

Players' Reactions

Ghalenoei acknowledged FIFA's efforts to facilitate their entry but expressed disappointment over the visa situation, noting, “we are upset about this behaviour. It has certainly never happened before.” Team captain Ehsan Hajsafi voiced his concerns regarding the timing of the visa approvals, asking, “Why so late?” He highlighted the difficult circumstances surrounding the team's participation, referencing the “two imposed wars” faced by their country in the past year. Nevertheless, he affirmed that the team is “100% ready” and believes they can progress in their group.

Another player, Alireza Jahanbakhsh, reported a positive atmosphere within the squad following a productive training camp, indicating that they are fully focused on their upcoming match against New Zealand. The team spent nearly three weeks in Turkey, utilizing that time to secure their visas for travel to Mexico, Canada, and the United States. Just before their departure, they finally received their US visas, as confirmed by Washington’s envoy to Turkiye, Tom Barrack.