Updated by Faith Barbara N Ruhinda at 1302 EAT on Friday 5 June 2026

Iran will head to its World Cup base this weekend on a positive note after securing a 2-0 victory over Mali in an international friendly in Türkiye, despite lingering uncertainty surrounding the team’s participation in the tournament.

Goals from midfielder Saeid Ezatolahi and right-back Ramin Rezaeian on either side of halftime on Thursday sealed the win for Team Melli, who conclude their preparations with three victories and one defeat from four friendly matches played this year in the Turkish resort city of Antalya.

The result provides a timely boost for Iran as they finalize preparations for the World Cup, with the squad showing encouraging form ahead of the global showpiece.

The friendlies marked the only competitive football action for Iran-based players since the domestic league was suspended following US and Israeli air strikes on the Islamic Republic in late February, which sparked a wider regional conflict.

Iranian officials confirmed this week that the squad has secured visas to enter Mexico and is scheduled to depart Türkiye on Saturday for its World Cup base in the border city of Tijuana.

Mexico’s President, Claudia Sheinbaum, agreed to host the team after reports indicated that US authorities were unwilling to allow Iran to remain at its originally designated base in Arizona during the tournament, which runs from June 11 to July 19.

However, the squad is still awaiting visas required for entry into the United States, where it is set to play Group Stage matches against New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles, as well as Egypt in Seattle.

Speaking to Iranian media this week, Mehdi Taj, president of the Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI), said obtaining US visas remained the federation’s primary concern as Iran’s tournament opener against New Zealand on June 15 draws closer.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Tuesday that there was “no problem” with the Iran squad entering the country.

However, he noted that Washington would not permit officials or support staff with links to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to accompany the team.

Both the United States and Canada, which are co-hosting the World Cup alongside Mexico, designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organisation.

FFIRI President Mehdi Taj was denied entry to Canada for the FIFA Congress in late April due to his alleged ties to the elite military force, highlighting the diplomatic and logistical challenges facing Iranian football officials ahead of the tournament.

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