Iran Sets Türkiye Camp Before World Cup as Visa Talks Continue

By Bosphorus News Sports Desk

Iran's national football team will hold a pre-World Cup training camp in Antalya before travelling to the United States for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Iranian media reported, placing Türkiye at the centre of Team Melli's final preparation phase.

The camp is expected to form the last extended training block before Iran moves to its tournament base in Tucson, Arizona. Iranian outlet Football360 reported that Antalya would host the next stage of preparations, while Varzesh3 said the squad was expected to leave Tehran shortly after its official send-off ceremony.

Antalya has already been part of Iran's World Cup build-up. The team trained and played friendly matches there in March, giving head coach Amir Ghalenoei a familiar setting before the squad enters the heavier logistical stage of its tournament preparations.

Iran are also expected to use the Türkiye camp for friendly matches and visa-related procedures. The team are scheduled to face Gambia on May 29, while Iranian officials have been trying to arrange another warm-up fixture before the squad heads to the United States.

The sporting schedule is now tied to a wider travel issue. Iran Football Federation president Mehdi Taj said no U.S. visas had been issued for the team as of Thursday, with talks continuing between Iranian officials and FIFA. Taj said players may need to travel for fingerprinting as part of the process, though Iranian officials were seeking to complete the procedure in Antalya rather than Ankara.

FIFA Secretary-General Mattias Grafstrom later held talks with Iranian federation officials in Istanbul, with FIFA describing the exchange as constructive. Reuters reported that Iran had raised a set of operational concerns linked to its participation, while FIFA said discussions covered practical matters ahead of the tournament.

Iran will compete in Group G with New Zealand, Belgium and Egypt. Team Melli open their campaign against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15, before facing Belgium and Egypt in their remaining group matches.

The Türkiye camp now gives Iran a controlled preparation base before the squad enters the United States under sharper political and logistical scrutiny. On the pitch, Ghalenoei needs training rhythm and friendly-match minutes. Off it, the federation still needs the visa process to move fast enough to keep the World Cup plan intact.

***Sources: AFP , Reuters, Anadolu Agency, Al Jazeera, FIFA.