Iran Secures Mexican World Cup Visas
Iranian Ambassador to Türkiye, Mohammad Hassan Habibollahzadeh, confirmed the breakthrough, crediting direct consultations with the Mexican Embassy in Ankara. "The visas for Iran's national team players were issued within 48 hours without the players having to appear in person and without fingerprinting requirements at the Mexican Embassy," Habibollahzadeh said.
Iran Football Federation President Mehdi Taj welcomed the development but flagged one outstanding obstacle still standing between the squad and a smooth tournament entry. "The main obstacle is the US visa. We do not know what stage the process is currently at. There are no other obstacles, and both we and FIFA are following up on the matter," Taj told Iran state television.
Taj added that only two delegation members were still awaiting their Mexican visas at the time of his remarks, describing their approval as imminent. He also confirmed the federation is in active talks with FIFA over arranging air travel between the team's Mexican base and Los Angeles — a key consideration given that the road journey clocks in at over three hours. "The distance to Los Angeles is three hours and 20 minutes by road, but it would take only 45 minutes by air. We are working on this issue, and our agreement with FIFA is important," he said.
The delegation is scheduled to depart for the Mexican border city of Tijuana on June 6, according to Iranian Football Federation spokesperson Amir Mehdi Alavi, who had signaled the visa approvals were imminent a day earlier. "We expect the visas for Iran's national team players to be issued tonight or tomorrow morning," Alavi told state media Tuesday.
Iran relocated its pre-tournament training base from the US to Mexico and has been preparing at a camp in the Turkish resort city of Antalya since May 19. The 2026 FIFA World Cup — co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico — kicks off June 11 and runs through July 19.
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