Iran beats Gambia while seeking clarity over visas
Iran has asked FIFA to clarify when tournament visas will be issued after the relocation of its 2026 FIFA World Cup training camp from Arizona in the United States to Tijuana in Mexico, a senior official from its national football federation (FFIRI) has revealed.
Iran came from behind to beat Gambia 3-1 in a warm-up match in the Turkish city of Antalya, days after its tournament preparations were disrupted by a base camp relocation to Mexico after approval from Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and FIFA.
Gambia led through Omar Colley before half-time, but Iran equalised through Aria Yousefi after the break before Ramin Rezaeian and Mehdi Taremi completed the comeback.
Iran is scheduled to play all three of its group matches in the United States, but the team's participation in the tournament has been in question since the United States and Israel attacked Iran in late February.
The relocation followed diplomatic friction and visa complications, with Iran now requiring cross-border clearance for its Group G matches against New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt in Los Angeles and Seattle.
Mehdi Mohammadnabi, first vice president of FFIRI, said that Iran had written to FIFA seeking a firm answer after earlier applying for visas.
"We sent an email to FIFA today and asked them to announce the result as soon as possible, to say on what day the visas will be issued, because we now need both multiple-entry Mexican visas and multiple-entry US visas," Mohammadnabi said.
"Based on the latest conversation we had, they replied that the administrative process will most likely be completed this week," he added.
Mohammadnabi said FIFA had proposed the Tijuana camp and Iran had accepted the arrangement.
"FIFA proposed this camp, and FIFA should tell you what has happened," he said. "In any case, we have accepted this camp, which is in the city of Tijuana in Mexico, and the team is ready to travel, which I think will take place in about a week."
"We are also surprised and hope this issue will be resolved as soon as possible," he added. "The focus of the national team and our players is only on their training."






















