Iran's national football team attended visa appointments in Ankara on Thursday, applying for Canadian and US entry documents ahead of the 2026 World Cup. The tournament will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, with Iran scheduled to play all three group-stage matches in the US.
An Iranian football federation official confirmed the entire squad applied for Canadian visas, while some players who had not previously applied for US visas also submitted applications in Ankara. The team faces New Zealand on 15 June and Belgium on 21 June in Los Angeles, followed by Egypt in Seattle on 26 June. Access to Canada would be required if they advance to the knockout rounds.
Foreign-based Iranian players joined the squad in Ankara before travelling to a training camp in Antalya. The domestic league was suspended after US and Israeli strikes on Iran began on 28 February, leaving many players short of match fitness. Coach Amir Ghalenoei has been preparing the squad in Antalya, as most domestic-based players went seven weeks without competitive football.
Despite early qualification for the expanded 48-team World Cup, preparations have been overshadowed by uncertainty over travel and security arrangements following the conflict between Iran, the US, and Israel. US President Donald Trump suggested in March that it would not be appropriate for Iran to play, but later appeared to change his stance, telling reporters: “Let them play”. Fifa President Gianni Infantino has maintained that Iran will participate.
Iran are due to play Gambia in a friendly on 29 May before Ghalenoei names his final 26-man squad by Fifa's 1 June deadline.
