Iranian national football team will be able to travel to the United States on 2026 FIFA World Cup after the US authorities approved visas for the players and important members of the delegation.
The decision ended weeks of uncertainty over the team’s participation in games scheduled to be played in the United States, one of three host countries for the tournament along with Canada and Mexico.
US officials confirmed the approval on Monday, just days before Iran’s first group stage match against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15.
The uncertainty about visas is finally resolved
In a statement, US officials said: “Visas required for Iran to compete in the World Cup, including for athletes and necessary support staff, have been issued.”
The officials also stressed that the process would be closely monitored, adding that the United States would not allow the Iranian delegation to “abuse this system to bring terrorists into the United States under false pretenses.”
The Iran Football Association has not yet publicly commented on the visa approvals.
Concerns over travel documents have hampered Iran’s preparations in recent weeks. The team initially planned to hold its training camp in Tucson, Arizona, but later moved its base to Mexico.
Iran Football Federation president Mehdi Taj previously attributed the change to visa difficulties.
Reports in Iranian media last week indicated that several members of the team’s technical and administrative staff were still awaiting approval to travel.
Political tensions overshadowed the development of the tournament
The issue gained further attention after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told lawmakers that individuals linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps would not be allowed into the country as part of the World Cup delegation.
Several players on the Iranian team have completed mandatory military service linked to the organization, although no sanctions have been announced against the players themselves.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will begin on June 11 and is expected to be the biggest edition of the tournament, with 48 teams participating for the first time.
Iran’s participation has added significance as it will be the first World Cup where the host country welcomes a team from a country with which it is currently in conflict.
