Hedayat Mombini, Secretary General of the Football Federation, addressed several key issues regarding Team Melli’s preparations for the upcoming World Cup in an interview on Sunday.

Referring to the visa process for national team players, Mombini explained: “Since our training camp is based in Mexico, we will be issued multiple-entry visas. This matter is currently being coordinated with the tournament’s organizing committee and the U.S. State Department. As we are scheduled to play three matches in the United States, we will need to enter U.S. territory on three separate occasions.”

He further clarified that visa issuance does not precede the finalization of the player list: “There is no procedure where visas are issued first and then we adjust the squad accordingly. The U.S. authorities are awaiting our official roster, and visas will most likely be issued after that. Through our ongoing correspondence with FIFA, consultations are underway to ensure no complications arise. However, we cannot speak with 100 percent certainty just yet.”

Regarding the team’s friendly match schedule, Mombini noted: “The match against Puerto Rico has already been confirmed. Originally, our agreement was to hold it in Tucson, Arizona, but since we will no longer be traveling there, we are now in discussions to relocate the game to Tijuana, Mexico.”

On the subject of the final squad announcement for the World Cup, the Secretary General stated: “According to the tournament protocol, our head coach’s final list, comprising 26 players, must be submitted by June 1st. There will be no changes to the technical staff. The player list already submitted to FIFA will be the basis for visa issuance through FIFA.”