Iran’s national football team has arrived in Turkey for a pre-World Cup training camp, but the squad faces logistical and fitness challenges ahead of the tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The team’s preparations are complicated by visa delays for entry into the US and a prolonged suspension of Iran’s domestic league, which has left most players without competitive match action for weeks.

Visa uncertainty and travel arrangements

Iran’s players and delegation members have submitted visa applications at the US embassy in Ankara, Turkey, according to an Iranian football federation official who spoke to Reuters. The official said a number of players applied in person on Thursday, while the entire squad also applied for Canadian visas, as Iran would require access to Canada if they advance to the knockout rounds.

FIFA, world football’s governing body, expressed confidence that Iran will be able to compete in the tournament, which begins next month. The United States, Canada, and Mexico are co-hosting the 48-team World Cup, with Iran scheduled to play all three of their group-stage matches on the US West Coast: against New Zealand on June 15 and Belgium on June 21 in Los Angeles, then Egypt in Seattle five days later.

Iran’s football federation had previously stated that US visa applications for the team would be handled in Turkey after discussions with FIFA. The uncertainty over travel and security arrangements follows the US-Israeli military strikes on Iran that began on February 28, which also led to the suspension of Iran’s domestic league.

League suspension and fitness concerns

Iran’s Persian Gulf Pro League season was suspended after the US and Israel attacked Iran on February 28, starting a regional war. The league will not resume until after the World Cup, leaving most domestic-based players without competitive football for about seven weeks.

Coach Amir Ghalenoei, who named a 30-man squad on Saturday, acknowledged that his coaching and fitness staff face a significant challenge. Of the squad, 22 players are from Iranian clubs and have been limited to training in Tehran since friendlies against Costa Rica and Nigeria in late March.

"Naturally, I am not fully satisfied with the players’ level of readiness," Ghalenoei told the Iranian federation’s magazine before the team’s departure for Turkey on Monday. "But with a training camp that is approximately two and a half to three weeks long, we can make up about 20 to 25 percent of this shortfall."

He added: "We need to raise our domestic-based players to the level required by the modern game. In terms of age profile, I believe our domestic players are in a good position, but there are still areas that need improvement."

The team is holding a pre-tournament camp in Antalya, Turkey, and trained there earlier this week. Iran will play a friendly against The Gambia on May 29 before Ghalenoei finalizes his 26-man squad by the FIFA deadline on June 1. The federation still hopes to schedule another friendly in Turkey and plans to play a behind-closed-doors match against Puerto Rico at their US base camp in Arizona, provided entry is possible without issues.

Ghalenoei expressed optimism about the preparation period: "I hope that in the first four or five days before our opening World Cup match, we can reach suitable physical conditions. The training camp in Turkey, despite all the surrounding distractions and side issues, gives us a chance to focus on football."

Iran qualified early for the expanded World Cup, but the buildup has been overshadowed by geopolitical tensions and logistical hurdles. The team’s ability to compete at full strength may depend on resolving visa issues and accelerating fitness recovery in the coming weeks.

Perspectives

Coach Amir Ghalenoei focuses on the physical readiness of his squad, noting that the training camp can help recover a significant portion of lost match fitness, though he remains cautious about the players’ current condition.

FIFA projects confidence in Iran’s participation, emphasizing that the tournament will proceed as scheduled and that logistical matters, including visas, are being addressed.

Iranian football federation officials are working to resolve travel and visa arrangements, while also managing the team’s preparation schedule amid ongoing regional conflict and league suspension.