Protesters in Toronto cast shadows on the Iranian state flag during an Al Quds Day rally on March 14, 2026. Meanwhile, the Iranian men’s soccer team arrived in Mexico ahead of the FIFA World Cup, which begins in four days. Photos of the team, dressed in white shirts and blue blazers, boarding a plane in Antalya, Turkey, were shared on Instagram. The team had been training in Turkey prior to their arrival in Tijuana, Mexico, on Sunday, where they posted more images captioned, ‘hi Mexico.’
Originally planning to train in Arizona, the team changed their plans due to visa issues. President Claudia Sheinbaum of Mexico extended an invitation to host them instead. As part of Group G, Iran will face New Zealand in Inglewood, California, on June 15, Belgium in Inglewood on June 21, and Egypt in Seattle on June 26.
Their participation in the World Cup was under scrutiny after U.S. and Israel strikes on Iran in February. President Trump expressed concerns about the team’s safety and suggested their exclusion. However, the Iranian team countered, emphasizing that FIFA is the sole organizer of the event.
In April, Secretary of State Marco Rubio affirmed that while Iranian players are welcome in the U.S., other members, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), might not be admitted. The New York Times reported that the players received visas, but over a dozen support staff, including coaches and medical personnel, were denied entry. Mehdi Taj, the Iranian soccer federation president and former IRGC commander, also faced visa denial.
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