Iran's World Cup team approved for US visas to play in 2026 tournament, but senior officials and staff were denied. Team will base in Tijuana, Mexico, traveling only for matches against New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt.
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Iran’s national football team will be able to compete at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States after players, coaches, and essential support staff were granted U.S. visas just days before the tournament begins.
The decision ended weeks of uncertainty surrounding Iran’s participation amid ongoing political tensions between Tehran and Washington.
However, the visa approvals did not extend to everyone traveling with the team. Several senior officials from the Iranian Football Federation, including administrative and media personnel, reportedly remain without U.S. visas. Iranian authorities have criticized the move as discriminatory and have suggested they may raise the matter with FIFA.
The visa dispute forced Iran to abandon plans for a U.S.-based training camp. Instead, the team relocated its World Cup headquarters to Tijuana, Mexico, where it will remain throughout the tournament and travel into the United States only for matches. The arrangement was approved after concerns over visa processing and security made a U.S. base impractical.
The situation highlights the unusual political backdrop surrounding the 2026 World Cup. Relations between the United States and Iran have deteriorated sharply in recent months, creating challenges rarely seen in international sport. U.S. officials have previously indicated that individuals with links to sanctioned organizations could face restrictions when applying for entry visas.
Despite the controversy, Iran’s participation in the tournament will go ahead as planned.
The team is scheduled to face New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt during the group stage, with all three matches taking place in the United States. For now, attention has shifted from diplomacy to football, although the visa dispute remains one of the most closely watched stories of the tournament.
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