Thousands of people cheered for Team Melli as Iran’s World Cup kit was unveiled before the team’s training camp in Turkiye.
Published May 14, 2026
Iran hosted a departure rally for its FIFA World Cup squad, watched by thousands of fans at Tehran’s Enkerab Square, amid concerns about the team traveling to the United States to compete.
On Wednesday, the players made patriotic remarks from the stage, drawing cheers from the crowd.
Iran’s 2026 World Cup kit will also be unveiled at the event, after which the team will head to Turkiye to continue preparations at a training camp.
“This is the best farewell party of the past four World Cup activities,” Mehdi Taj, president of the Football Federation of the Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI), said on state television.
“The players stand with the people and the spectators stand proud of the country’s dignity, honor and strength. Whatever the outcome, may the Iranian flag be raised there and protected.”
Iran’s participation in the World Cup has been in doubt since the US and Israel attacked Iran on February 28, starting a regional war.
The FFIRI delegation, led by Taj, was turned away at Toronto’s main airport due to treatment by Canadian immigration authorities and did not attend the pre-World Cup FIFA meeting in Vancouver. They alleged “unacceptable conduct by immigration officers” despite having valid visas.
In 2024, Canada designated Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps as a terrorist organization, and a Canadian government statement indicated that Mr. Taj was denied entry due to his alleged ties to the Revolutionary Guard Corps.
The incident raised concerns that there would be problems with some of the Iranian delegation entering the United States.
Like Canada, the Revolutionary Guards are classified as a “terrorist organization” in the United States, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said that anyone associated with the group will not be allowed into the country.
Iran is responsible for allowing players and team personnel to enter the United States, and Team Melli, which is scheduled to play in all three World Cup group games, is firmly in FIFA’s hands.
“We have not received anything regarding visas yet. We hope to ensure that it will be processed within this deadline,” FFIRI Secretary-General Hedayat Mombeini told state television at the rally.
“FIFA has made a commitment and we hope that commitment translates into results and that our players receive their visas on time.”
Iran will face Gambia in a World Cup pre-game on May 29 in Antalya. Mombeini said FFIRI is arranging another friendly ahead of the training camp in Turkiye.
