Iran Team to Travel Spain Amid FIFA World Cup Visa Delays

Iran will begin the final phase of its FIFA World Cup 2026 preparations with a training camp in Mexico. Despite visa procedures for Mexico and the United States still being completed ahead of the tournament.

The national team is expected to depart for Spain on Saturday before relocating to its World Cup base in Tijuana, where it will continue preparations for the competition. Federation officials remain confident that the remaining travel documentation will be finalized before the squad's arrival in North America.

Iran Team to Travel Spain Before World Cup Campaign

The latest update was provided by football federation president Mehdi Taj, who outlined the team's travel plans during an appearance on state television. While logistical arrangements are still being finalized, Iran's schedule remains unchanged as the squad prepares for the tournament.

“We will leave for Spain on Saturday, and from there the team will go directly to Tijuana in Mexico.”

“We will obtain a Mexican visa tomorrow (Tuesday) or the day after, and then a US visa will be issued quickly,” Taj said.

Irani Players Waiting for Visa Approvals Ahead of Tournament

The travel situation has added an extra layer of uncertainty to Iran's preparations. The FIFA World Cup 2026 will be staged across the United States, Mexico and Canada, with Iran requiring access to multiple host locations during the group stage.

Iran have been placed in Group G and will open their campaign against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15. Further group matches against Belgium and Egypt are scheduled for June 21 and June 26 respectively.

Preparation Plans Adjusted

According to Taj, events in the region earlier this year forced the federation to revise several aspects of its World Cup planning. A number of scheduled arrangements were affected, including international warm-up fixtures that had been expected to form part of the team's preparation programme.

“The situation in the country, and especially the war, has upended all our plans,” Taj said.

“We had arranged good warm-up matches, including one against Spain, which was cancelled” in February.

Iran had initially identified Tucson, Arizona, as its preferred World Cup training base. However, the federation later opted for Tijuana, a city located near the United States-Mexico border, as preparations for the tournament entered their final stage.