Iran's National Football Team Arrives in the U.S. for FIFA World Cup 2026

Iran's Arrival in the U.S.

The Iranian national football team has landed in the United States, touching down at Los Angeles International Airport on Sunday in preparation for their opening match against New Zealand, set for Monday.

Prior to their departure from Tijuana, the team was given an enthusiastic farewell by supporters who gathered to cheer them on.

According to reports, fans filled the sidewalks outside the team's hotel, chanting 'Team Melli' (which translates to 'national team' in Persian) as players made their way to the bus.

Support staff, dressed in red shirts, handed out national flags to the crowd, who waved them energetically as the players exited the hotel. The athletes, clad in navy blue polo shirts and beige trousers, acknowledged the warm reception with smiles and waves, while fans captured the moment on their phones.

One supporter displayed a yellow sign with bold black text that read, 'Iran, you will never walk alone. Mexico stands with you.' A young boy, perched on someone's shoulders, proudly held a FIFA World Cup sticker album featuring the Iranian squad.

The crowd sang, 'Iran, brother, you are Mexican now,' as the Iranian football federation president, Mehdi Taj, was present to see the players off. Many fans followed the team bus as it departed, despite the Iranian community in Tijuana being relatively small, with only about 20 members compared to the larger community in Los Angeles.

Iran had relocated its World Cup base camp from Arizona to Tijuana due to uncertainties regarding entry into the United States. This decision followed weeks of anxiety over whether the delegation would secure the necessary visas for the tournament.

The visa complications arose after requests were made to move matches outside the U.S. following joint military actions by the U.S. and Israel against Iran in late February. However, a peace agreement is expected to be signed by both nations on June 19, as announced by President Trump.

Iran's first match in Group G is against New Zealand on June 15, followed by a game against Belgium on June 21, and concluding with a match against Egypt in Seattle on June 26.

The team's participation is being closely monitored due to the tense relations between Tehran and Washington, as well as the ongoing political climate in Iran.

Players are also facing scrutiny amid domestic unrest and the ongoing conflict involving the U.S. and Israel.

Despite the challenges surrounding visa approvals, which have left some support staff unable to travel, Iran is now focused on their World Cup journey, aiming to progress from a tough group and make a significant impact on the global stage.