Iran secured qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup as AFC third-round Group A winners in March 2025, marking their seventh consecutive appearance and anchoring trader consensus at near-certainty. FIFA leadership has repeatedly affirmed the team's participation, with players receiving U.S. visas and the federation relocating its training base to Tijuana, Mexico, under governing-body approval. Scheduled group-stage matches against New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt begin within days. While diplomatic tensions or security considerations have prompted logistical adjustments, no procedural barriers or official withdrawals have emerged to alter the established path. Late developments such as player health issues or unforeseen political directives remain the primary, albeit low-probability, variables that could still shift the outcome before the tournament opens.