Thousands of fans gathered at Enghelab Square in Tehran on Wednesday night for a state send-off for Iran's men's football team, known as Team Melli. During the farewell ceremony, the team's World Cup kit was unveiled before the players departed for a training camp in Turkiye.
The rally was marked by cheering crowds, though the event also featured anti-US chants and the presence of Hezbollah flags as the team prepared for their World Cup group games.
Despite the celebration, concerns remain regarding the team's ability to enter the United States. While FIFA and US officials have stated that players will be allowed into the country despite Donald Trump's travel ban, reports indicate that US visas have not yet been issued, leaving major questions unanswered.