Iran Team Melli Posts World Cup Kit Photos and Training Videos — Federation Signals Readiness Despite Government Impasse

Iran's national football team (Team Melli) posted photos and videos on social media on May 5, showing players in their new home kit for the 2026 World Cup alongside training sessions held in Iran. Players including goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand and winger Milad Mohammadi featured in the posts. The social media activity — coordinated by the football federation — came amid an ongoing impasse between Iran's Sports Ministry (which has declared the team 'under no circumstances' can play in the US) and FIFA (which confirmed Iran's participation at the May 1 Vancouver Congress). The posts signal that the football federation is continuing tournament preparations despite the government's stated opposition, with the provisional squad submission to FIFA due May 11. Iran FA president Mehdi Taj is expected to meet FIFA President Infantino in Zurich later in May to press for security guarantees.