Iran’s national football team will travel to the United States just one day before its opening World Cup match against New Zealand on June 16, 2026. The late arrival is due to ongoing political tensions and visa complications, according to a statement from Iranian Football Federation spokesperson Amir Mehdi Alavi. The team will fly on a chartered flight and reach the host city one day before the match, while arriving two days early for their subsequent group games.

Although Iranian players have received U.S. visas, more than a dozen administrative and management officials were denied entry. In response to these difficulties, Iran has shifted its main World Cup training camp from Tucson, Arizona, to Tijuana, a Mexican city near the U.S. border. The decision reflects the continuing strain in U.S.-Iran relations that has affected the team’s logistical planning.

The adjustments may impact Iran’s preparation schedule, but the federation confirmed that all matches will proceed as planned under FIFA’s official timetable.