Iran’s National Football Team Secures Visas in Turkiye for World Cup Journey
Squad Members Apply for US, Canada Entry Amidst Crucial Preparations
Iran’s national football team has successfully attended visa appointments in Turkiye, a critical step ahead of their participation in the upcoming World Cup. The entire squad has applied for Canadian visas, with several players also submitting applications for entry into the United States.
An official from the Iranian Football Federation confirmed to Reuters news agency that a number of players submitted their applications in Ankara, the Turkish capital, on Thursday.
While the full squad attended appointments for Canadian visas, some players who had not previously applied for American visas—particularly following the US and Israel’s aggression against Iran in February—also submitted their applications in person at the embassy.
The official further stated that some foreign-based Iranian players joined the squad in Ankara before proceeding to the team’s training camp in Antalya, located on Turkiye’s Mediterranean coast.
The upcoming World Cup will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Iran is scheduled to play all three of its group-stage matches on the US West Coast, highlighting the necessity of these travel arrangements.
Iran is set to face New Zealand on June 15 and Belgium on June 21 in Los Angeles. Five days later, they will play Egypt in Seattle. Should the team advance to the knockout rounds, access to Canada would be essential for their continued participation.
A pre-tournament training camp is currently underway in Turkiye, following the suspension of the Iranian domestic league in March, which has left many players lacking crucial match fitness.
Coach Amir Ghalenoei oversaw intensive training in Antalya earlier this week, working diligently to prepare his squad after most domestic-based players endured a seven-week hiatus from competitive football due to the Iranian league’s suspension.
Despite qualifying early for the expanded 48-team World Cup, Iran’s preparations have been significantly complicated by uncertainties regarding travel and security arrangements, particularly in the aftermath of the US-Israeli conflict against Iran.
The Iranian Football Federation had previously confirmed that US visa applications for the team would be processed in Turkiye, a decision reached after extensive discussions with FIFA.
Iran is scheduled to play a friendly match against Gambia on May 29, ahead of Coach Ghalenoei’s announcement of the final 26-man World Cup squad by FIFA’s June 1 deadline.
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