Thousands of passionate fans flooded Tehran's Enqelab Square on Wednesday for an emotional sendoff rally as Iran's national football team, Team Melli, prepared to head to the United States for the FIFA World Cup. The atmosphere was electric, with supporters cheering the players as they took the stage to deliver patriotic speeches—a moment that marked a significant milestone in the team's journey.
"This is the best sendoff in the last four World Cup campaigns," said Mehdi Taj, president of the Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI), speaking to state TV. "The players are with the people, and the crowd stands for the country's dignity, honor, and strength. Whatever the result, may Iran's flag be raised there and defended."
The event also served as the unveiling ceremony for Iran's sleek new World Cup 2026 kit, a moment that drew cheers from the crowd and hints at the team's ambition to make a statement on the global stage. Following the rally, the squad is set to travel to Turkiye for a training camp to fine-tune their preparations before heading to the US, where they will play all three of their group matches.
However, the road to the World Cup has been anything but smooth. Iran's participation has been clouded by geopolitical tensions, particularly after the US and Israel launched attacks on Iran in late February. The situation escalated when an FFIRI delegation, led by Taj, was turned back at Toronto's main airport earlier this year, missing a pre-World Cup FIFA gathering in Vancouver. Despite holding valid visas, they cited "unacceptable behavior of immigration officials" and alleged mistreatment. Canada had listed Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization in 2024, and statements from Canadian officials suggested Taj was denied entry due to alleged ties with the group.
This incident has raised fears about potential visa issues for the Iranian delegation entering the US, where the IRGC is also classified as a "terrorist entity." US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has made it clear that anyone with ties to the organization will not be admitted. As a result, Iran has placed the responsibility for securing visas for players and team officials firmly in FIFA's hands.
"Nothing has arrived yet regarding the visas. We hope it will definitely be handled within this timeframe," said Hedayat Mombeini, FFIRI secretary-general, reflecting the uncertainty that hangs over the team's travel plans. For now, Team Melli's focus remains on the pitch, as they look to represent their nation with pride and determination—no matter the obstacles off it.