Iran's FIFA World Cup 2026 squad arrived in Mexico wearing badges bearing the hashtag "168" in memory of victims of the deadly Minab school missile strike, which occurred during the U.S. and Israeli raids on Iran on 28 February, according to the Iran Football Federation.
The Iranian squad arrived in Tijuana aboard a private jet from Antalya, Türkiye, on Monday after making a last-minute decision to base their training camp in Mexico rather than Tucson, Arizona, amid complications over U.S. visas and concerns about the team's safety.
Amid an ongoing Iran-U.S. military standoff despite a fragile ceasefire, neither the United States nor Israel has claimed responsibility for the attack on the primary school in the southern province of Hormuzgan, which has drawn strong criticism from the United Nations and human rights organisations.
In May, residents of Iran's capital, Tehran, held a large send-off ceremony for the national football team, wishing them success ahead of their departure for FIFA World Cup 2026, which will be co-hosted by Canada, the U.S. and Mexico.
However, for many Iranians, the global sporting event has been overshadowed by politics in the aftermath of the Israeli-U.S. war against the Islamic Republic, as well as logistical challenges including visa issues and preparations for training camps.
Following the Israeli-U.S. military campaigns against Iran last June and again in late February this year, which lasted 40 days, Tehran called on FIFA to move Iran's World Cup matches from the United States to Mexico.
"We request FIFA to reconsider the venue of Iran squad’s matches and to shift them to Mexico due to security concerns," local Mexican media quoted Iran's Ambassador Abolfazl Pasandideh as saying in an interview with UNO TV in March.
Concerns over the team's safety intensified after U.S. President Donald Trump said on his Truth Social platform that Iranian players should skip the World Cup in the United States "for their own safety."
Iran subsequently increased its contacts with FIFA, citing security concerns following Trump's remarks.
Ultimately, the Iran Football Federation confirmed that the country would participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup and urged tournament organisers to address concerns regarding the team's safety.
Last year, the Iran Football Federation also threatened to boycott the World Cup draw after the U.S. government failed to issue visas to all members of its delegation, including the federation's president.
However, it later reversed the decision and sent a delegation to the United States.
Since June 2025, Iranian citizens, along with nationals from 11 other countries, have been subject to a travel ban imposed by the Trump administration restricting entry to the United States.
Last December, Tehran protested to Washington over the travel restrictions affecting members of its football delegation as well as Iranian supporters wishing to travel to the United States to attend World Cup matches in 2026.
Iran's Foreign Ministry said it had formally protested against the U.S. administration's decision to deny visas to football federation officials, team support staff and Iranian fans hoping to watch their national team compete in the United States next year.
Tehran and Washington severed diplomatic relations following the 1979 Islamic Revolution, which overthrew the pro-Western Shah monarchy.
Ranked 21st in the world, Iran have qualified for the FIFA World Cup for a seventh time and will be appearing at a fourth consecutive tournament.
At FIFA World Cup 2026, Iran will face Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand after being drawn into Group G, a section that some football analysts have described as a "group of death."
The United States and Iran have traded fresh strikes, with the U.S. hitting military sites and Iran launching missiles and drones at bases and ship...
Ukraine will increase military wages and expand recruitment of foreign volunteers, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Friday, as the armed for...
Poland will receive a new $4 billion loan from the United States through the Foreign Military Financing (FMF) programme, strengthening defence ties be...
Georgia and the European Union have held their first working-level talks in Brussels following the EU's decision to suspend visa-free travel for holde...
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk have criticised Britain, France and Germany for leaving them out of talks...
The United States and Iran have traded fresh strikes, with the U.S. hitting military sites and Iran launching missiles and drones at bases and ships near the Strait of Hormuz. Shipping remains active, but tensions are rising as calls grow for restraint and renewed talks.
Ukraine will increase military wages and expand recruitment of foreign volunteers, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Friday, as the armed forces face a critical personnel shortage after more than four years of war with Russia.
Poland will receive a new $4 billion loan from the United States through the Foreign Military Financing (FMF) programme, strengthening defence ties between the two NATO allies as Warsaw continues a major military modernisation drive.
Georgia and the European Union have held their first working-level talks in Brussels following the EU's decision to suspend visa-free travel for holders of Georgian diplomatic, service and official passports.
Mexico and South Africa meet in Thursday’s World Cup opener in Mexico City, with both teams approaching the match from very different positions but facing their own pressures.
SpaceX has made history with the largest initial public offering ever in the United States, pricing its shares at $135 each and achieving a market valuation of $1.77 trillion.
U.S. Donald Trump has said he has cancelled planned strikes on Iranian oil and gas ports announced earlier on Thursday. Trump said he made the decision after senior leadership in Iran agreed to peace talks.
Formula 1 driver Pierre Gasly’s Monaco Grand Prix podium has been reinstated after Alpine successfully challenged his post-race penalties through a Right of Review request with the FIA.
While France hosts next week’s Group of Seven summit, businesses in neighbouring Switzerland have already begun taking precautions, with many shops in Geneva boarded up ahead of a large anti-G7 demonstration expected on Sunday.
Legions of security officers and police are being deployed for the 2026 FIFA World Cup as organisers prepare for what officials describe as an unprecedented security challenge to protect fans, players and venues across North America.
Authorities in Hong Kong have seized suspected counterfeit World Cup merchandise worth an estimated HK$156 million (US$19.91 million), including jerseys and footballs, in one of the city's largest recent crackdowns on fake sports goods.
Mexico began its home World Cup campaign with a 2-0 victory over South Africa in a heated opening match at the Estadio Azteca, setting the tone for the tournament in front of a vocal home crowd.
Mexico and South Africa meet in Thursday’s World Cup opener in Mexico City, with both teams approaching the match from very different positions but facing their own pressures.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 is set to be one of a kind when it kicks off on 11 June, as it brings with it a slew of firsts ahead of co-hosts Mexico taking on South Africa in the opening match.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment