Iran’s preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup have been thrown into turmoil after officials revealed the team will only be allowed to enter the United States on matchdays and must leave immediately after their games. The restrictions come amid an escalating diplomatic dispute between Tehran and Washington.
According to Iran’s ambassador to Mexico, Abolfazl Pasandideh, the national team will be permitted to enter the United States only for the duration of its matches.
“We can enter in the morning and we must leave the same day,” Pasandideh told reporters.
The unusual arrangement has forced Iran to relocate its World Cup training camp from Arizona to Mexico. The team is now based in Tijuana and will fly into the United States for its group-stage fixtures before returning to Mexico immediately afterward.
Key Staff Denied Visas
While US authorities confirmed that all Iranian players and what they described as “necessary support staff” have received visas, several senior federation officials and members of the team’s administrative and technical staff remain without entry clearance.
Iran’s embassy accused the United States of politically motivated interference in sport, claiming that a significant portion of the managerial, executive and technical delegation had been denied visas.
Iranian media reports indicated that senior football federation officials, including federation executives and media personnel, were among those unable to secure entry permits. Reports suggest as many as 15 members of the Iranian delegation are still awaiting visas.
US Defends Decision
US officials insisted that all players and essential personnel needed for Iran’s participation in the tournament had been granted entry documents.
A State Department official also warned that Iran would not be allowed to “abuse this system to sneak terrorists into the United States under false pretences.”
The visa dispute comes against the backdrop of ongoing tensions between the two nations, making Iran’s participation one of the most politically sensitive stories of the tournament.
Iran’s World Cup Schedule
Iran will begin its World Cup campaign against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 16 before facing Belgium and Egypt in subsequent group-stage matches hosted in Los Angeles and Seattle.
The situation has sparked criticism from Iranian officials, who argue that the travel restrictions undermine normal World Cup preparations and place their team at a competitive disadvantage ahead of the tournament.
