Iran will head to their World Cup base this weekend in confident mood after securing a 2-0 victory over Mali in a friendly match in Turkey on Thursday, despite lingering questions surrounding their participation in the tournament.

Midfielder Saeid Ezatolahi opened the scoring before halftime, while right back Ramin Rezaeian added a second after the break as Team Melli wrapped up their training camp in Antalya with three wins and one defeat from four friendly matches this year.

The fixtures marked the only competitive action for Iran-based players since the domestic league was halted following U.S. and Israeli air strikes on Iran in late February, an escalation that sparked a wider regional conflict.

Iranian officials confirmed earlier this week that the squad had received visas for Mexico, where they will be based during the tournament. The team is scheduled to leave Turkey on Saturday and travel to the border city of Tijuana.

The move came after Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum agreed to host the Iranian squad, following reports that U.S. authorities were unwilling to allow the team to remain at its original base in Arizona for the duration of the June 11 to July 19 World Cup.

The Iranian squad is still awaiting the U.S. visas required for its Group G matches against New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles, as well as Egypt in Seattle.

Iranian Football Federation (FFIRI) president Mehdi Taj said this week that securing entry visas to the United States remains the federation’s biggest concern as the team prepares for its World Cup opener against New Zealand on June 15.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on Tuesday that there was “no problem” with Iran’s players entering the country for the tournament. However, he noted that officials or support staff linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) would not be permitted to accompany the team.

The IRGC is designated as a terrorist organization by both the United States and Canada, co-hosts of the 2026 World Cup alongside Mexico.

Taj himself was denied entry to Canada for the FIFA Congress in late April due to his reported connections to the IRGC, highlighting the ongoing challenges facing Iranian football officials ahead of the tournament.