TEHRAN, May 29 (AFP): Iran’s football federation has asked FIFA to facilitate multiple-entry US visas for the national team ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, as preparations continue for the tournament to be hosted across the United States, Mexico and Canada.

Speaking in a video broadcast by Iranian media, federation president Mehdi Taj said FIFA was expected to help secure visas that would allow Iranian players and staff to travel between the United States and Mexico during the competition.

Iran, known as Team Melli, has decided to establish its World Cup training base in Tijuana, Mexico, after initially considering Tucson, Arizona. Officials said the move would simplify travel arrangements and help avoid potential visa-related complications.

The Iranian team is scheduled to play all three of its Group G matches in the United States. Iran will open its campaign against the New Zealand national football team in Los Angeles on June 15 before facing the Belgium national football team and the Egypt national football team later in the group stage.

Squad preparations continue

Taj said preparations for the tournament were progressing, confirming that the team would be based in Mexico during the World Cup.

He also said he was unaware of the current status of striker Sardar Azmoun, who was omitted from the preliminary squad selected by the national team’s coaching staff.

Azmoun, Iran’s all-time leading active scorer with 57 international goals, has previously played for Bayer Leverkusen and AS Roma. His exclusion has generated discussion in Iran, with some officials publicly calling for his return to the national team ahead of the World Cup.

Iran secured qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and is among the Asian teams preparing for the expanded tournament, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada.