Adedokun Waliyu 
Iran national football team arrived in Turkey on Monday for a training camp and visa processing ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The 22-player delegation and coaching staff landed in the Turkish resort city of Antalya, where they were seen leaving the airport dressed in navy blue tracksuits.
The team is expected to remain in Turkey for several weeks before travelling to the tournament, which is being co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Despite ongoing tensions involving Iran, the team will still be based in Arizona in the United States and will play all three of their group-stage matches there. The conflict involving Iran, Israel and the United States has been temporarily paused by a ceasefire since April 8, though concerns remain over possible renewed fighting.
Head coach Amir Ghalenoei said the players would also use their stay in Turkey to complete visa applications because Iran and the United States have not had diplomatic relations since 1980.
The team hopes to play two friendly matches during the camp, including one against Gambia national football team on May 29.
Last week, Iran organised a public send-off ceremony for the squad in Tehran, where supporters waved flags and cheered the players. However, some citizens expressed frustration and claimed the team no longer represented ordinary Iranians.
Some residents interviewed by AFP criticised the squad for appearing too closely aligned with the government, while others said political tensions had reduced their enthusiasm for the World Cup.
Iran qualified for the tournament in March 2025. Since then, relations between Tehran and Washington have remained tense following military actions and political disputes.
Donald Trump previously stated that Iran should still be allowed to participate in the tournament, saying, “Let ’em play.”
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio suggested concerns were more focused on officials travelling with the team rather than the players themselves.
Iran’s football federation also recently complained of poor treatment by Canadian immigration officials after federation representatives reportedly abandoned a planned trip to a FIFA congress in Canada.
The squad’s World Cup base camp will be in Tucson, Arizona. Iran, placed in Group G, will open their campaign against New Zealand national football team in Los Angeles on June 15 before facing Belgium and Egypt in their remaining group matches.
