Iran World Cup visas: Iran lodges passports with US embassy as team races to secure travel documents
Iran has submitted passports to the US embassy in Turkiye as it seeks Iran World Cup visas, officials said, ahead of a planned flight to Spain and a base camp in Tijuana for the 2026 tournament.
Iran’s football federation chief confirmed the passports were handed over after instructions from FIFA, with the move coming amid wider geopolitical tensions that have left the team’s participation uncertain.
Passports lodged at US embassy in Turkiye
The Iranian football federation said on June 5, 2026 that team passports were delivered to the US embassy in Ankara for visa processing.
Federation head Mehdi Taj told reporters the decision followed direction from FIFA and was part of standard procedures to obtain entry to the United States for the group-stage matches.
Officials emphasised the handover was administrative and intended to speed up visa approvals so the squad could travel on schedule.
FIFA involvement and guidance to the team
Taj said FIFA had advised Iran to submit all travel documents to the US diplomatic mission in Turkiye to facilitate visa issuance.
The federation said it had consulted with FIFA to ensure compliance with tournament rules and international travel requirements.
Officials also noted that FIFA has been updated on the federation’s requests and concerns about the timing and scope of any visa decisions.
Planned travel itinerary and exact dates
The Iranian delegation plans to depart Turkiye on June 6, 2026, flying first to Spain before continuing to their Mexican base in Tijuana.
Mexican authorities have already issued visas for the squad to enter Mexico, the federation confirmed, clearing that leg of the itinerary.
The team’s timetable hinges on US visa approvals, which Taj said the federation expected to be completed within days.
Base camp moved from Tucson to Tijuana
Iran relocated its World Cup base from Tucson, Arizona to Tijuana on the northwestern Mexican border after logistical and visa considerations.
The move positions the squad across the border from the United States while keeping training and accommodation within Mexican jurisdiction.
Federation officials said Tijuana offers suitable facilities and shorter travel times to match venues in the US West Coast cities where Iran will play.
Group-stage schedule and match venues in the United States
All three of Iran’s group-stage fixtures are scheduled in the United States despite the team’s Mexican base.
Iran opens against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15, then faces Belgium in Los Angeles again on June 21, before meeting Egypt in Seattle on June 27.
Those fixtures require approved entry to the US for players, technical staff, and delegation members on their travel dates.
Federation signals possible alternatives if visas are delayed
Mehdi Taj warned that the federation had flagged specific points to FIFA and might consider other measures should the US not issue visas to all necessary delegation members.
He stressed the federation’s preference for diplomatic and administrative resolution but did not specify potential fallback plans.
Taj expressed optimism that full visa issuance would be achieved and said he expected no major obstacles that would prevent the team from travelling.
Final preparations and form ahead of the tournament
Iran completed a final warm-up friendly on Thursday, beating Mali 2-0, a result the federation said provided constructive momentum.
Coaching staff have been using the remaining days to fine-tune tactics and monitor player fitness while awaiting the outcome of visa processing.
With travel plans set and Mexico’s visa approvals in place, the team’s immediate focus is on securing all US entry permits and finalising logistics for the June fixtures.
The coming 48 hours will be crucial for Iran’s delegation as it seeks to convert administrative submissions into travel clearance, allowing the squad to depart for Spain on June 6 and settle into its Tijuana base ahead of the World Cup group matches in the United States.
