Iran to travel to Mexico for FIFA World Cup preparations despite visa delays

TEHRAN: Despite ongoing visa delays, Iran’s national football team will travel to Mexico this weekend to continue preparations for the FIFA World Cup.

Iran’s participation in the tournament had faced uncertainty following the outbreak of conflict after U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on the country in late February.

Last month, Iran announced it was relocating its World Cup base camp from Tucson, Arizona, to Tijuana, Mexico.

Iran Football Federation president Mehdi Taj said he expects visa-related issues for both Mexico and the United States to be resolved soon.

The team has been holding a training camp in Turkey and is scheduled to play a final warm-up match against Mali on Thursday before heading to North America.

Iran have been drawn in Group G alongside Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand. Their World Cup campaign begins against New Zealand on June 15 in Inglewood, California, followed by matches against Belgium on June 21 in Inglewood and Egypt on June 26 in Seattle.