Iran's national football team has departed from Turkey to Mexico amid a diplomatic dispute over U.S. visas, which has raised concerns about their participation in the upcoming World Cup. The team, known as Team Melli, left Antalya on June 6, 2026, for Tijuana, where they will be based during the tournament. This flight comes just days before their first match scheduled for June 11, as the World Cup is jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

Visa Issues for Support Staff

While the players and coaching staff successfully obtained their U.S. visas, reports indicate that 15 members of the administrative and management team have not received theirs. Iranian state TV confirmed that the team took off around 6:10 PM local time, embarking on what is expected to be a 20-hour journey. The players had spent nearly three weeks in a training camp in Antalya, where they also applied for visas to travel to the three host countries.

Diplomatic Tensions

The Iranian embassy in Turkey expressed strong discontent over the visa situation, stating that a significant number of managerial and executive staff were denied entry. In a statement on social media, the embassy criticized the U.S. for what they described as "deliberate and discriminatory treatment" against the national team. They urged FIFA to hold the U.S. accountable for these actions, emphasizing the need for fair treatment of all teams participating in the tournament.

As the World Cup approaches, the Iranian team remains hopeful for a resolution to the visa issues, allowing them to compete on the global stage without further complications.