ANTALYA, Turkey - Iran defeated Mali 2-0 in a friendly Thursday, their last warm-up match before heading to their World Cup base in Tijuana, Mexico.
Midfielder Saeid Ezatolahi and right back Ramin Rezaeian scored either side of halftime, giving Team Melli three wins and one loss in four friendlies this year. All matches were played in Antalya, Turkey, as Iran’s domestic league remains suspended following U.S. and Israeli airstrikes in late February.
The squad received Mexican visas and will depart Saturday for Tijuana after Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum agreed to host them. The U.S. had denied Iran’s request to base in Arizona.
However, Iran has not yet secured U.S. visas needed to play group stage matches against New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt. FFIRI President Mehdi Taj called this their “main concern.” U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said there is “no problem” with the team entering, but won’t allow staff linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
Taj was denied entry to Canada for the FIFA Congress in April due to IRGC ties.