Mexico grants visas to Iran national football team
Iran's ambassador to Ankara, Mohammad Hassan Habibollahzadeh, said that Mexico has issued entry visas to the players of the Iranian national football team, in addition to the technical and administrative staff, participating in the matches of the 2026 World Cup.
According to the official Iranian news agency IRNA, Habibollahzadeh said in statements on Wednesday that the visa procedures for all players and technical and administrative staff were completed in coordination between the Iranian and Mexican embassies in Ankara.
He added that the Mexican embassy in Ankara provided all the necessary facilities and the visas were issued.
Training Camp in Antalya, Turkey
The Iranian national team is currently continuing its preparations for the World Cup in the Turkish city of Antalya, where they beat Gambia 3-1 in a friendly match on Friday, and then will play another friendly match against Mali on Thursday.
Iran are in Group G of the World Cup, where they will play against New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles on June 15 and 21, followed by a match against Egypt in Seattle on June 26.
Iran's ambassador to Mexico, Abolfazl Basdendeh, said on Sunday, "The national team will have a better stay in Tijuana than in American cities, and the security stereotype in Tijuana does not reflect reality."
"The people of Tijuana are very friendly and hospitable, and they don't have any problems with the Iranians, they have a lot of respect for them," he said.
Iran plays its matches in the United States
On Monday, Mehdi Taj, the president of the Iranian Football Federation, said that the first team will leave Turkey for Spain next Saturday, before heading to its residence in Mexico in preparation for the 2026 World Cup, although it is still waiting for visas.
Iran are in Group G of the World Cup, where they will play against New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles on June 15 and 21, followed by a match against Egypt in Seattle on June 26.
The United States, Mexico and Canada will co-host the 23rd edition of the 2026 World Cup from June 11 to July 19, with 48 teams participating for the first time.