Iran secure Mexican visas but still await United States entry | OneFootball

Iran’s players obtained Mexican visas on Wednesday, allowing travel to their Tijuana base, but they still lack authorisation to enter the United States, 12 days before their 2026 World Cup opener.

The squad are currently in Türkiye. The Iranian ambassador in Türkiye said the visas were issued within 48 hours without the players attending in person or providing fingerprints at the Mexico embassy.

The absence of United States visas has already prompted a switch of base from Tucson, Arizona, to Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico. Their group matches remain scheduled in the United States, starting against New Zealand in Los Angeles on 15 June (three hours).

They are then due to face Belgium in Los Angeles on 21 June (21 hours), before meeting Egypt in Seattle on 27 June (five hours). Before that, Team Melli play Mali in Antalya on Thursday behind closed doors at 17:30, then fly to Spain on Saturday and Mexico on Sunday.

The situation stems from the ongoing armed conflict between the United States-Israel coalition and Iran, which has fuelled diplomatic tensions and lengthy processing by the United States, a co-host. The team still hope to receive the necessary visas after months of waiting.

Source: L'Équipe