Iran progress towards the 2026 World Cup after a convincing friendly win over Mali in Turkey

Strikes from midfielder Saeid Ezatolahi and right back Ramin Rezaeian, one either side of the interval, handed Team Melli a record of three victories and just one defeat across their four warm-up matches this year in the Turkish resort of Antalya.

These friendlies represent the only competitive action for Iran's domestic-based players since the national league was halted following US and Israeli air strikes on the Islamic Republic in late February, which sparked a regional conflict.

Officials confirmed this week that the squad have obtained visas for Mexico, and they will depart Turkey on Saturday for their tournament base in Tijuana, a city on the border.

Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum consented to accommodate the team after being informed that US authorities opposed Iran remaining at their original base in Arizona for the duration of the tournament, which runs from 11 June to 19 July.

However, the team have yet to receive the necessary visas to enter the United States for their group stage matches against New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles, and against Egypt in Seattle.

Mehdi Taj, president of the Iranian Football Federation (FFIRI), told Iranian media this week that the US visas are the federation's primary worry as Iran's opening match of the tournament against New Zealand on 15 June draws nearer.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on Tuesday that there was 'no problem' with the Iran squad entering the country, but that Washington would not permit any officials or staff with links to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to accompany them.

Both the United States and Canada, who are co-hosting the World Cup alongside Mexico, designate the IRGC as a 'terrorist organisation'.

Taj was denied entry to Canada for the FIFA Congress in late April due to his connections with the elite military force.