Iran held a World Cup farewell rally at Tehran's Enqelab (Revolution) Square on May 13-14, 2026, drawing thousands of fans to support the national football team ahead of the tournament in North America [1, 2, 3, 4]. At the event, the team unveiled the new kit they will wear at the 2026 FIFA World Cup co-hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19 [1, 2, 3].

Iranian Football Association (FA) President Mehdi Taj called it "the best send-off in the last four World Cup campaigns" and praised the patriotic support despite ongoing uncertainties [1, 2]. He said, "We have not received any account from the other side regarding who has been granted visas. No visas have been issued yet," underscoring the unresolved status of travel approvals for players and officials [4]. Taj reported that "tomorrow or the day after, we will have a decisive meeting with FIFA. They must give us guarantees" about visa arrangements [5].

Iran’s Secretary-General Hedayat Mombeini expressed hope that FIFA interventions will ensure timely visa issuance. He said, "FIFA has made promises, and hopefully those promises will lead to results and the players will receive their visas on time," and added, "I hope FIFA steps in ... we have always believed sport should be separate from politics [1, 2]."

The participation of Iran in the World Cup is clouded by security tensions following US and Israeli air strikes on Iran in late February 2026 [1, 2, 4]. Since a fragile ceasefire began in early April, diplomatic relations have remained strained. Two weeks before the rally, Iranian FA officials, including Taj, were denied entry to Canada for the FIFA Congress due to alleged ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), designated a terrorist entity by the US [1, 5, 2]. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio clarified that players would be allowed entry but warned some officials with IRGC links might face restrictions [1, 5, 2].

Iran has presented FIFA with a list of 10 conditions for participation. These include guaranteed visa issuance for all players, coaches, and officials, even those with military service backgrounds in the IRGC [5]. The team plans to continue preparations in a training camp in Turkey and play warm-up matches there, including a scheduled game against Gambia on May 29 in Antalya [1, 2].

Iran is scheduled to open its World Cup group stage matches in Los Angeles on June 15 against New Zealand, followed by games against Belgium on June 21 in Los Angeles and Egypt on June 26 in Seattle. The team will be based in Tucson, Arizona during the tournament [5, 4].

Players are expected to travel to Ankara, Turkey, for fingerprinting as part of the US visa process, though Iranian officials are attempting to arrange fingerprinting in Antalya to reduce travel burdens [4].

The decisive meeting between Iranian FA officials and FIFA regarding visa guarantees is imminent, with the World Cup less than a month away.