Iran World Cup Delegation Faces U.S. Visa Dispute Ahead of 2026 Opener

Iran’s 2026 World Cup preparations have been hit by a diplomatic dispute over U.S. visas, with several members of the team’s delegation reportedly denied entry while players and key coaching staff received approval.

The team left for Mexico after training in Antalya, Turkey, where it held closed-door matches and waited for visa decisions ahead of the tournament.

A U.S. State Department official said the visas needed for Iran to compete, including for athletes and necessary support staff, had been issued. The official also said the U.S. would not allow the process to be abused to bring terrorists into the country under false pretenses.

Iranian officials pushed back, claiming that a large part of the team’s management and support staff had been denied visas. Iranian media reported that several football federation officials were among those still without approval.

Iran’s football federation accused the U.S. of making a political decision and said it would raise the issue with FIFA.

The visa uncertainty has already changed Iran’s tournament logistics. The team reportedly moved its planned base camp from Tucson, Arizona, to Tijuana, Mexico.

Iran is scheduled to play all three group-stage matches in the United States, opening against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15, followed by Belgium in Los Angeles on June 21 and Egypt in Seattle on June 26.

Iranian officials also gave conflicting accounts of travel restrictions, with one diplomat saying the team must enter and leave the U.S. on match days, while a team spokesman said the visas allow multiple entries and earlier arrivals.

The dispute adds another layer of tension around Iran’s World Cup campaign as the tournament approaches.