With their opening 2026 World Cup fixture fast approaching, Iran’s football federation is racing against time to secure the final paperwork that will allow Team Melli to enter North America. Federation chief Mehdi Taj says Mexican entry visas are expected first, to be followed swiftly by U.S. approvals.

Taj explained on Iranian television that the squad plans to depart for Spain on Saturday for a short training stopover before flying directly to Tijuana, Mexico. That itinerary hinges on Mexican authorities issuing visas early in the week, a step he described as imminent and largely procedural.

The team’s training base was originally scheduled for Tucson, Arizona, but Iran requested a move to Tijuana, citing security concerns. The relocation has added a layer of logistical complexity, requiring both Mexican and U.S. visas for players, coaches, and support staff as they shuttle between venues and training sites.

Iran’s group stage schedule will keep them on the move across the western United States. They are set to face New Zealand in Inglewood, California, before returning to the same stadium six days later to meet Belgium. Their final group match sends them north to Seattle for a potentially decisive clash with Egypt.

Team Melli’s very presence at the tournament has been shadowed by geopolitical tension. Their participation came under scrutiny after joint U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran earlier this year, raising questions over security, travel, and diplomatic fallout. FIFA has repeatedly maintained that Iran will compete in full, insisting that sporting commitments must be honored despite the conflict.

Visa approvals have become a flashpoint. In April, Taj’s own Canadian visa was revoked over his past association with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, designated a terrorist organization by both Canada and the United States. That episode underscored how political and security vetting could complicate World Cup preparations.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has publicly signaled that Washington will scrutinize the Iranian delegation for any individuals linked to the IRGC. He emphasized that the United States has no objection to athletes or legitimate support staff, but vowed to block any attempt to include security or political operatives under the cover of a sports delegation.

Amid the uncertainty, Iran have tried to maintain focus on the pitch, holding a prolonged training camp in Antalya, Turkey, while they wait for the final stamps that will determine whether their World Cup journey proceeds as planned.