Iran’s US-bound World Cup squad given public sendoff in Tehran

Thousands of people cheered Team Melli as Iran’s World Cup kit was unveiled before the team’s training camp in Turkiye.Iran hosted a departure rally for its FIFA World Cup squad, witnessed by thousands of fans in Tehran’s Enqelab Square, amid concerns about ⁠the team travelling to the United States to compete.The players were cheered ⁠by the crowd as they made patriotic statements from a stage on Wednesday.Iran’s World Cup 2026 kit was also unveiled at the event, following which the team will travel to Turkiye to continue their preparations at a training camp.“This is the best sendoff in the ⁠last four World Cup campaigns,” Mehdi Taj, president of the Iran" class="entity-link entity-organization" data-entity-id="126758" data-entity-type="organization">Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI), told state TV.“The players are with the people, and the crowd stands with the country’s dignity, honour, and strength. Whatever the result, may Iran’s flag be raised there and defended.”Iran’s participation in the World Cup has been in question since the US and ‌Israel attacked Iran, starting a regional war on February 28.People gather to attend the farewell ceremony of Iran’s national team in Tehran [Atta Kenare/AFP]An FFIRI delegation, led by Taj, turned back at Toronto’s main airport, citing their treatment by Canadian immigration, and missed a pre-World Cup FIFA gathering in Vancouver. They alleged “unacceptable behaviour of immigration officials” despite holding valid visas.In 2024, Canada listed Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organisation, and statements from the Canadian government indicated that Taj was denied entry due to his alleged ties with the IRGC.The incident triggered fears there may be issues for some of the Iranian delegation getting into the US.