{"id":1943200,"date":"2026-05-18T12:10:10","date_gmt":"2026-05-18T09:10:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1943200"},"modified":"2026-05-18T12:10:10","modified_gmt":"2026-05-18T09:10:10","slug":"iran-heads-to-world-cup-training-camp-in-turkey-with-no-us-visas-issued","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1943200","title":{"rendered":"Iran heads to World Cup training camp in Turkey with no US visas issued"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/76\/21\/91\/1200x675_cmsv2_cec302e4-5e0f-5f75-9206-781d3eb5ab35-9762191.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2894827-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2894827\" data-cid=\"9763896\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2894827-label-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img 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src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/75\/62\/50\/189x106_cmsv2_290364de-a7a5-5c82-a094-4872cb03cd81-9756250.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Florentino P\u00e9rez during a press conference\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Sport<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Game of Thrones: The secret of Florentino P\u00e9rez&#8217;s power at Real Madrid\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2894566-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2894566\" data-cid=\"9762416\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2894566-label-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/76\/24\/16\/189x106_cmsv2_0d370215-e82c-53c4-880b-eb8da9cb9ccf-9762416.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt='Dara from Bulgaria performs the song \"Bangaranga\" and celebrate onstage after winning the Grand Final of the 70th Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna, Sunday, May 17, 2026.' height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    The Cube<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Viral posts falsely claim Eurovision winner was secretly bought\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2894856-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2894856\" data-cid=\"9764023\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2894856-label-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/76\/40\/23\/189x106_cmsv2_4cb1af07-0788-51f8-8a0f-b3d2fc4bd3db-9764023.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\" FILE:  Oleksandra Matviichuk, a Ukrainian human rights lawyer at the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) in Strasbourg, France, Jan.26, 2023. \" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Ukraine &#8216;paying the highest price to return home to European values&#8217;\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2894827-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2894827\" data-cid=\"9763896\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2894827-label-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/76\/38\/96\/189x106_cmsv2_0b9f1f12-0bd7-5a5c-9465-632a20d94e00-9763896.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Manneken-Pis wears Fair Play costume to mark the annual celebration\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Brussels\u2019 Manneken Pis goes sporty\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2894134-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2894134\" data-cid=\"9763476\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2894134-label-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/75\/62\/50\/189x106_cmsv2_290364de-a7a5-5c82-a094-4872cb03cd81-9756250.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Florentino P\u00e9rez during a press conference\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Sport<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Game of Thrones: The secret of Florentino P\u00e9rez&#8217;s power at Real Madrid\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2894566-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2894566\" data-cid=\"9762416\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2894566-label-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/76\/24\/16\/189x106_cmsv2_0d370215-e82c-53c4-880b-eb8da9cb9ccf-9762416.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt='Dara from Bulgaria performs the song \"Bangaranga\" and celebrate onstage after winning the Grand Final of the 70th Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna, Sunday, May 17, 2026.' height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    The Cube<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Viral posts falsely claim Eurovision winner was secretly bought\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2894856-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2894856\" data-cid=\"9764023\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2894856-label-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/76\/40\/23\/189x106_cmsv2_4cb1af07-0788-51f8-8a0f-b3d2fc4bd3db-9764023.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\" FILE:  Oleksandra Matviichuk, a Ukrainian human rights lawyer at the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) in Strasbourg, France, Jan.26, 2023. \" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Ukraine &#8216;paying the highest price to return home to European values&#8217;\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"helper-site-row o-article-newsy\">\n<div class=\"helper-site-container o-article-newsy__container\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__main\">\n<header class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__header\">\n<nav aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs\">\n<div id=\"adb-article-breadcrumb\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs__list\">\n<p>                          News<\/p>\n<p>                          Sport<\/p><\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<h1 class=\"c-article-redesign-title\">\n                            Iran heads to World Cup training camp in Turkey with no US visas issued<\/h1>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-video u-position-relative \">\n<div class=\"js-superdiv u-aspect-ratio-16x9 u-position-relative u-max-width-1280 u-margin-x-auto\" data-video='{\"id\":\"xaa689o\",\"articleId\":2894524,\"title\":\"Iran heads to World Cup training camp in Turkey with no US visas issued\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/FHD\/44\/05\/86\/00\/FHD_PYR_4405860_20260518183211.mp4\",\"programId\":\"sport\",\"player\":\"dailymotion\",\"geoBlock\":[\"\"],\"sources\":[{\"file\":\"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/FHD\/44\/05\/86\/00\/FHD_PYR_4405860_20260518183211.mp4\",\"label\":\"1080p\",\"default\":false}],\"description\":\"Iranu2019s national football team is flying to Turkey amid fears over visa approvals from the United States, with limited preparation and no top-tier friendly matches scheduled.\",\"isLive\":false,\"articleUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/video\/2026\/05\/18\/iran-heads-to-world-cup-training-camp-in-turkey-with-no-us-visas-issued\",\"duration\":60000}' data-sponsored=\"Partner content\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"js-poster-img c-article-media__img\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/76\/21\/91\/1536x864_cmsv2_cec302e4-5e0f-5f75-9206-781d3eb5ab35-9762191.jpg\" width=\"1536\" height=\"864\" loading=\"eager\" alt=\"Iran national football team head to Turkey\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-caption u-position-absolute\"><i id=\"article-caption-content\" class=\"c-article-caption__content\"><span class=\"c-article-caption__text\"><br \/>\n              Iran&#8217;s national football team depart for Turkey<br \/>\n                    <span class=\"u-color-white\">&#8211;\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__copyright\">Copyright\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__credit\">Fars<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-copyright\">\n      Copyright\u00a0Fars\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__body u-article-content\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__contributors-publication-date\">\n<div class=\"c-article-contributors\">\n  By&amp;nbsp<b>Euronews Persian<\/b><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-publication-date\" data-timestamp=\"1779106210\">\n         Published on<br \/>\n            <time datetime=\"2026-05-18 14:10:10 +02:00\">18\/05\/2026 &#8211; 14:10 GMT+2<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-partage-commentaire-share\"><span>Share<\/span><\/span><span>Comments<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire-popup-overlay js-c-article-partage-commentaire-popup-overlay u-display-none\">\n<div id=\"js-c-article-partage-commentaire-popup\" class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire-popup js-c-article-partage-commentaire-popup\">\n<div class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire-popup__header 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alt=\"threads\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-whatsapp.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"whatsapp\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Whatsapp<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-whatsapp.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"whatsapp\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire-popup__content__embed_container u-display-none\"><span class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire-popup__content__embed__tooltip\"><br \/>\n                            Copy\/paste the article video embed link below:<br \/>\n                        <\/span><span class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire-popup__content__embed u-display-flex\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/icon-copy-to-clipboard.svg\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" alt=\"Copy to clipboard\" class=\"u-cursor-pointer js-c-article-partage-commentaire-copy\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire-popup__content__embed--success-copied u-display-none js-c-article-partage-commentaire-video-embed-success-link-copied\"><br \/>\n                                Copied<br \/>\n                            <\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"c-article-summary\">\n        Iran\u2019s national football team is flying to Turkey amid fears over visa approvals from the United States, with limited preparation and no top-tier friendly matches scheduled.<br \/>\n    <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-content js-article-content\">\n<p>Iran&#8217;s football squad has departed for a training camp in Turkey without US visas for players and members of the coaching staff, as the foreign ministry accused Washington of making up &#8220;self-made excuses&#8221; to block their entry ahead of the World Cup.<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Spokesman Esmail Baghaei said Washington&#8217;s refusal to issue visas to some national team members was &#8220;not acceptable&#8221; and described it as &#8220;a violation&#8221;. <\/p>\n<p>He added that Iranian football officials had met senior FIFA executives in Turkey and received assurances that FIFA would do all it could to uphold its principles.<\/p>\n<p>Federation chief Mehdi Taj said on Thursday that not a single visa had been issued for any member of the squad or staff. &#8220;We have not received any account from the other side regarding who has been granted visas. No visas have been issued yet,&#8221; he told state-run IRNA news agency.<\/p>\n<p>Football association official Mohammad Nabi said Iran would play two friendly matches on the trip, one against The Gambia in Antalya on 29 May and a second opponent yet to be confirmed. <\/p>\n<p>A match against a Turkish club side and a further fixture against Puerto Rico in Arizona&#8217;s Tucson are also scheduled \u2014 if visas are issued.<\/p>\n<h2>Unprepared, without a top striker<\/h2>\n<p>Iran is heading into the tournament severely underprepared. Most of the team&#8217;s planned fixtures have been cancelled since the war began in February. The Italian assistant coach unilaterally terminated his contract. <\/p>\n<p>The squad&#8217;s last training match, held at Azadi Stadium in Tehran last week, was an internal scrimmage with players divided into two sides.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6666666666666666\">\n<div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n<div class=\"widget__contents\">\n<figure class=\"widget__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/76\/21\/91\/808x539_cmsv2_ffd34467-ae60-5b20-89a6-3021990e477a-9762191.jpg\" alt=\"Iran's national team in a domestic training match\"><figcaption class=\"widget__caption\"><span class=\"widget__captionWrap\"><span class=\"widget__captionText\">Iran&#8217;s national team in a domestic training match<\/span><span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Mohammadreza Abbasi, Avesh<\/span><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Head coach Amir Ghalenoei has named a 30-man preliminary squad, with the most notable absence Sardar Azmoun \u2014 one of the country&#8217;s best-known strikers and a veteran of two previous World Cups. <\/p>\n<p>Azmoun was dropped following his public support for protesters during the January unrest, his criticism of the government&#8217;s internet shutdowns, and political statements he made during the war. <\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6665\">\n<div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n<div class=\"widget__contents\">\n<figure class=\"widget__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/76\/21\/91\/808x539_cmsv2_5f195b2f-94e4-5679-8d3b-4e4fcf5588b0-9762191.jpg\" alt=\"Iranian striker Sardar Azmoun\"><figcaption class=\"widget__caption\"><span class=\"widget__captionWrap\"><span class=\"widget__captionText\">Iranian striker Sardar Azmoun<\/span><span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo<\/span><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>IRGC-affiliated Fars News Agency argued he should be excluded. Media figures close to the government said he would need to apologise before being considered for selection. He has refused. <\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id data-event=\"widget_related\">\n<div class=\"c-widget-related__title\"><b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b><\/div>\n<ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n<li class=\"c-widget-related__item\">Iran&#8217;s World Cup team feted at home with public farewell amid US visa fears<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-widget-related__item\">Iran national team heads toward 2026 World Cup amid &#8216;death to America&#8217; chants in Tehran<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p>Fars News separately reported that his property has been seized on the orders of a provincial prosecutor.<\/p>\n<h2>IRGC problems<\/h2>\n<p>Iran is preparing for its fourth consecutive World Cup appearance. All three of its group-stage matches are scheduled to be played in the US. <\/p>\n<p>The IRGC are designated a terrorist organisation in the US and Canada \u2014 the World Cup&#8217;s two main co-hosts alongside Mexico. <\/p>\n<p>US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said individuals linked to the IRGC would not be permitted to enter the country. Two weeks ago, Iranian football federation chairman Mehdi Taj was turned back at Toronto airport when he attempted to attend the FIFA Congress in Vancouver.<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id data-event=\"widget_related\">\n<div class=\"c-widget-related__title\"><b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b><\/div>\n<ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n<li class=\"c-widget-related__item\">Iran&#8217;s World Cup team feted at home with public farewell amid US visa fears<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-widget-related__item\">Iranian football chiefs turned away at Canada border over IRGC link<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p>The squad&#8217;s send-off ceremony in Tehran&#8217;s Revolution Square last week was attended largely by government supporters. <\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6666666666666666\">\n<div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n<div class=\"widget__contents\">\n<figure class=\"widget__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/76\/21\/91\/808x539_cmsv2_0edc0d78-bd5a-5049-9153-6a9ba9e1d5c4-9762191.jpg\" alt=\"Lebanon's Hezbollah flags were seen a reception for Iran's national football team in Tehran, 14 May 2026\"><figcaption class=\"widget__caption\"><span class=\"widget__captionWrap\"><span class=\"widget__captionText\">Lebanon&#8217;s Hezbollah flags were seen a reception for Iran&#8217;s national football team in Tehran, 14 May 2026<\/span><span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Mehr News Agency<\/span><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Chants of &#8220;Death to America&#8221; were audible throughout, and Hezbollah flags were visible in the crowd. Several national team players and staff have appeared at state and religious events in recent weeks to support government policies. <\/p>\n<p>Critics say public enthusiasm for the national team has fallen sharply following the January protests, the internet blackout, and the squad&#8217;s political alignment with official state positions.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>                                  Go to accessibility shortcuts<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-partage-commentaire-share\"><span>Share<\/span><\/span><span>Comments<\/span><\/div>\n<div id=\"adb-article-you-might-also-like\" class=\"perf-cv-auto c-article-you-might-also-like\">\n<h2 class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__title\">\n        Read more<br \/>\n      <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  Iranian football chiefs turned away at Canada border over IRGC link<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  Iran heads to World Cup training camp in Turkey with no US visas issued<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto\">\n<ul id=\"adb-article-tags\" class=\"c-tags-list\">\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Iran protests 2026<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  National Team<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Iran<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  World Cup 2026<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Football<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Football World Cup<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"o-article-newsy__aside\">\n<div class=\"c-ad-wrapper o-article-newsy__aside__content-1\" data-ad-name=\"adzone-halfpage\">\n<div class=\"c-ad c-ad-halfpage u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" 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m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2894581\" data-cid=\"9762490\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2894581-label-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/76\/24\/90\/320x180_cmsv2_84c15298-9906-51eb-b232-52b87db7ee8b-9762490.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Volodymyr Zelenskyy has asked Europeans to appoint a special envoy.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Risks, pitfalls, snubs: EU envoy for Russia talks faces job from hell<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2894703-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2894703\" data-cid=\"9763165\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2894703-label-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/76\/31\/65\/320x180_cmsv2_d39c210f-e127-5ba9-a044-7061203679e0-9763165.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"FILE: Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping during a walk at the Zhongnanhai leadership compound in Beijing, China, Sept. 2, 2025.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Washington or Moscow: China\u2019s Xi Jinping hosts Putin after Trump visit<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2893969-pos1-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2893969\" data-cid=\"9759994\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Poland\u2019s hydrogen buses confront high fuel costs, new report claims<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2894416-pos2-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2894416\" data-cid=\"9761748\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Europe\u2019s poverty divide: Which cities and regions are most at risk?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2894627-pos3-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2894627\" data-cid=\"9762762\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Iran sets up Hormuz transit authority to charge ships for passage<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2894708-pos4-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2894708\" data-cid=\"9763219\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Trump: I called off attack on Iran planned for Tuesday<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2894524-pos5-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2894524\" data-cid=\"9762389\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Iran heads to World Cup training camp with no US visas issued<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"articleBody\" data-key=\"articleBody\">Iran&#8217;s football squad has departed for a training camp in Turkey without US visas for players and members of the coaching staff, as the foreign ministry accused Washington of making up &#8220;self-made excuses&#8221; to block their entry ahead of the World Cup.Spokesman Esmail Baghaei said Washington&#8217;s refusal to issue visas to some national team members was &#8220;not acceptable&#8221; and described it as &#8220;a violation&#8221;.He added that Iranian football officials had met senior FIFA executives in Turkey and received assurances that FIFA would do all it could to uphold its principles.Federation chief Mehdi Taj said on Thursday that not a single visa had been issued for any member of the squad or staff. &#8220;We have not received any account from the other side regarding who has been granted visas. No visas have been issued yet,&#8221; he told state-run IRNA news agency.Football association official Mohammad Nabi said Iran would play two friendly matches on the trip, one against The Gambia in Antalya on 29 May and a second opponent yet to be confirmed.A match against a Turkish club side and a further fixture against Puerto Rico in Arizona&#8217;s Tucson are also scheduled \u2014 if visas are issued.Unprepared, without a top strikerIran is heading into the tournament severely underprepared. Most of the team&#8217;s planned fixtures have been cancelled since the war began in February. The Italian assistant coach unilaterally terminated his contract.The squad&#8217;s last training match, held at Azadi Stadium in Tehran last week, was an internal scrimmage with players divided into two sides.Head coach Amir Ghalenoei has named a 30-man preliminary squad, with the most notable absence Sardar Azmoun \u2014 one of the country&#8217;s best-known strikers and a veteran of two previous World Cups.Azmoun was dropped following his public support for protesters during the January unrest, his criticism of the government&#8217;s internet shutdowns, and political statements he made during the war.IRGC-affiliated Fars News Agency argued he should be excluded. Media figures close to the government said he would need to apologise before being considered for selection. He has refused.Fars News separately reported that his property has been seized on the orders of a provincial prosecutor.IRGC problemsIran is preparing for its fourth consecutive World Cup appearance. All three of its group-stage matches are scheduled to be played in the US.The IRGC are designated a terrorist organisation in the US and Canada \u2014 the World Cup&#8217;s two main co-hosts alongside Mexico.US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said individuals linked to the IRGC would not be permitted to enter the country. Two weeks ago, Iranian football federation chairman Mehdi Taj was turned back at Toronto airport when he attempted to attend the FIFA Congress in Vancouver.The squad&#8217;s send-off ceremony in Tehran&#8217;s Revolution Square last week was attended largely by government supporters.Chants of &#8220;Death to America&#8221; were audible throughout, and Hezbollah flags were visible in the crowd. Several national team players and staff have appeared at state and religious events in recent weeks to support government policies.Critics say public enthusiasm for the national team has fallen sharply following the January protests, the internet blackout, and the squad&#8217;s political alignment with official state positions.<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2026\/05\/18\/iran-heads-to-world-cup-training-camp-in-turkey-with-no-us-visas-issued&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/76\/21\/91\/1200x675_cmsv2_cec302e4-5e0f-5f75-9206-781d3eb5ab35-9762191.jpg&#8221;] Europe News Brussels\u2019 Manneken Pis goes sporty Sport Game of Thrones: The secret of Florentino P\u00e9rez&#8217;s power at Real Madrid The Cube Viral posts falsely claim Eurovision winner was secretly bought Europe News Ukraine &#8216;paying the highest price to return home to European values&#8217; Europe News Brussels\u2019 Manneken Pis goes sporty Sport [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[90],"tags":[226,36],"class_list":["post-1943200","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-international","tag-crawlmanager","tag-euronews-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1943200","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1943200"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1943200\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1943200"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1943200"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1943200"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}