Iran to play World Cup warm-up in Egypt behind closed doors before heading to Mexico

Despite being one of the first nations to qualify, Iran's involvement in the World Cup has been uncertain ever since the United States and Israel launched airstrikes on the Islamic Republic in late February.

The squad has played three friendlies across two training camps in Antalya since the conflict began, losing to Nigeria and beating Costa Rica and Gambia. On Thursday they will face Mali at the Turkish seaside resort.

"Given the significance of the Iranian national football team's friendly match against Mali, and in accordance with the tactical plans of Iran's head coach, tomorrow's game against Mali will take place behind closed doors with no media present," the FFIRI said in a statement.

The FFIRI persuaded FIFA to let the team switch its tournament base from Tucson, Arizona, to Tijuana, Mexico. From there they will commute across the border for their first two group matches against New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles.

Their third and final Group G fixture, against Egypt, is in Seattle.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Tuesday that Washington had "no problem" with the Iranian team entering the country, but would not allow officials or staff with connections to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to accompany them.

"What we will not permit is for them to embed in their delegation a number of individuals we know have nothing to do with sport and have links to the IRGC or similar groups, so we will monitor that very closely," Rubio stated during a House of Representatives committee hearing.

Both the United States and Canada, who are co-hosting the World Cup with Mexico, classify the IRGC as a "terrorist entity."

FFIRI President Mehdi Taj was denied entry into Canada for the FIFA Congress in late April because of his ties to the elite military force.

Iran are scheduled to begin their campaign against New Zealand on 15 June.