At least four Iranian footballers and one member of their travelling group visited the US embassy in Ankara on Thursday to lodge visa applications for the World Cup, a match reporter on the scene said.
Quick facts
- Thursday: Iranian players and one entourage member submitted visa applications at the US embassy in Ankara.
- Monday: Iran’s squad arrived in Turkey’s Antalya for a training camp before the 2026 World Cup.
- Host nations for the 2026 tournament include the United States, alongside the co-host country of Mexico and Canada.
- Ceasefire has been in place since April 8.
- Iran friendlies: vs Gambia on May 29 in Antalya; vs Mali on June 4.
- World Cup group schedule: New Zealand (June 15, Los Angeles), Belgium (in the same city), and Egypt (Seattle).
The squad touched down in Turkey’s southern Antalya resort on Monday for its training camp ahead of the 2026 tournament, which is being jointly staged by the United States. The report noted that the US began military operations involving Iran alongside Israel on February 28, with the conflict later easing after a ceasefire took hold on April 8.
On Thursday morning, four players dressed in navy tracksuits, accompanied by a staff member in black, were seen entering the embassy to complete the required steps, the correspondent said.
The same visa process was also expected at the Canadian embassy, with Canada joining Mexico as a co-host of the World Cup.
Iran and the United States have been without diplomatic ties since 1980. Even so, the Iranian football federation vice-president said on Tuesday that he was “very confident” in FIFA’s procedures as the team prepares for the tournament.
Known as “Team Melli”, Iran are scheduled to play two warm-up matches before heading to the World Cup. Both are set to take place during the Antalya camp, with Gambia on May 29 followed by Mali on June 4.
In the draw, Iran were placed in Group G. They will kick off their campaign against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15.
After that, Iran face Belgium in the same city, before closing their group fixtures against Egypt in Seattle.
Iran are aiming to reach the knockout rounds at a World Cup for the first time, after missing out in each of their previous six appearances at the finals.
