Iran's national football team is set to play their final warm-up match against Mali in Turkey on Thursday, with the game taking place behind closed doors as per the Iranian football FA (FFIRI) announcement. This decision aligns with the tactical objectives of head coach and reflects the significance of the match. Following the warm-up, the team will depart for their tournament base in Tijuana, Mexico, on Saturday. Iran's participation in the World Cup has faced uncertainty due to air strikes on the country, which have impacted their preparation. The squad has played three friendlies in Antalya, securing one victory against Gambia and losing to Nigeria and Costa Rica. The FFIRI successfully negotiated a change in the team's base from Tucson, Arizona, to Tijuana, allowing them to travel to their matches against New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles. However, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that officials with ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) would be barred from accompanying the team, reflecting ongoing tensions. Iran's first match in the World Cup is scheduled for June 15 against New Zealand.