Iran finally lands in Mexico for FIFA World Cup 2026 after a gruelling travel ordeal, US visa rejections, and war-disrupted preparations

Iran's football team has arrived in Tijuana, Mexico, ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 — but the journey to reach football's biggest stage was anything but straightforward. For a squad that spent months navigating conflict, sanctions, and diplomatic roadblocks, simply getting to the tournament was an achievement in itself.

40 Hours on the Road

The team's travel saga began in Tehran, where the squad boarded buses for a punishing 40-hour overland journey to the Turkish border. It was an uncomfortable, physically draining start to a World Cup campaign — and for some, more difficult than others.

Goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand, standing 6-foot-5, reportedly had to sleep on the bus floor just to stretch out his frame during the marathon trip. For a squad that would need to arrive fresh and focused, the ordeal set the tone for what has been an exceptionally challenging build-up.

Once across the Turkish border, conditions improved. The team regrouped in Antalya before eventually flying onward toward the Americas, arriving in Tijuana via a route that would have been unthinkable under normal World Cup circumstances.

Visa Denials Hit Support Staff

The logistical difficulties did not end at the Turkish border. Securing entry into the United States — where Iran is scheduled to play matches in Group G — proved to be another battle entirely.

While players and head coach Amir Ghalenoei were granted US visas, the American administration reportedly denied entry to 13 members of the Iranian delegation, including support staff, analysts, and media officials. Security concerns were cited as the reason for the refusals.

FIFA was forced to step in. Under the arrangement that followed, Iranian players will be permitted to enter the United States strictly on match days, with a mandatory return immediately after games conclude. It is an arrangement without precedent at a World Cup hosted on American soil.

War Casts a Shadow Over Preparations

The backdrop to all of this is the regional conflict that has upended Iranian life since the US bombing of Iran on February 28. The fallout reached deep into football — affecting squad selection, training conditions, and the mental state of players preparing for the tournament.

Veteran striker Sardar Azmoun was a notable absence from the squad. Reports indicate he was dropped after a photograph emerged showing him with the UAE's ruler following the outbreak of war — a move that reportedly drew sharp criticism from Iranian authorities.

Training was equally disrupted. Due to sanctions and logistical constraints, the squad did not have access to the official FIFA World Cup match balls while training in Tehran. Only after reaching Turkey were the players able to work with tournament-standard equipment for the first time.

Unity in Difficult Times

Despite everything, the dressing room spirit appears intact. Senior winger Alireza Jahanbakhsh, heading into his fourth World Cup, spoke about the team's collective mindset during this period.

"The situation is not easy at all, but we aim to keep the team united. As Iranians, our biggest motivation is to bring smiles to the faces of our countrymen and parents."

During the Turkey stopover, players spent time together watching films and documentaries — including one on Iraq's remarkable Asian Cup triumph in 2007 — an effort to maintain morale and cohesion away from the pitch.

The squad has also planned a gesture of solidarity before matches: each player will place his right hand over the national badge as a mark of respect for people back home.

Eyes on the Tournament

Iran now prepares to compete in Group G, with their participation in US-hosted matches still subject to the day-by-day entry arrangement brokered through FIFA. The team's presence at FIFA World Cup 2026 is itself a statement — of resilience, of national pride, and of football's ability to persist even through extraordinary circumstances.