Nicolai Haugsted
Some players and now even entire team staffs can’t enter the US due to visas not being approved.
World Cup tournaments are usually defined by tactics, goals and dramatic late winners.
Ahead of the 2026 competition, however, one national team is finding itself caught in a dispute that has little to do with football.
According to Unilad, Iran’s preparations have become increasingly complicated after several members of the country’s support staff were reportedly denied permission to enter the United States, despite FIFA confirming months ago that the team would be allowed to participate.
Team Allowed, Staff Left Waiting
Iran will open its World Cup campaign against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15 before facing Belgium and Egypt later in the group stage.
Players and parts of the delegation received travel approval last week, but reports from Iranian state media indicate that several senior figures remain without visas.
Among those reportedly affected is Iranian Football Federation president Mehdi Taj.
A U.S. State Department official insisted that the necessary documentation had been issued for players and essential personnel.
“The visas necessary for Iran to compete in the World Cup, including for athletes and necessary support staff, have been issued,” the official said.
Statement also included a sharp warning directed at Tehran.
“We will not allow the Iranian team to abuse this system to sneak terrorists into the United States under false pretenses,” the official added.
Training Base Moved Outside the United States
Questions surrounding Iran’s participation have followed the team for months.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino confirmed earlier this year that Iran would take part in the tournament despite growing geopolitical tensions between Washington and Tehran.
Authorities in the United States have nevertheless refused to allow Iran to establish a training base on American soil during the competition.
Instead, the squad has prepared in Turkey before relocating to Mexico, where it will remain between matches.
Restrictions reportedly go even further.
According to Iranian officials, players and staff will only be permitted to enter the United States on match days before returning immediately afterward.
Iran Accuses Washington of Political Interference
Iran’s embassy in Turkey has strongly criticized the arrangement and accused the United States of allowing politics to influence sport.
Officials described the visa decisions as discriminatory and directed at a significant portion of the country’s football administration.
Ambassador Abolfazl Pasandideh told reporters that Iran’s delegation faces strict limits on its movements.
“We can enter in the morning and we must leave the same day,” he said.
Iranian officials later escalated their criticism in a formal statement.
“You have now escalated the deliberate and discriminatory treatment against Iran’s national football team to its highest level,” the statement said.
Tournament Begins Under Unusual Circumstances
Debate over Iran’s participation has intensified since military tensions between the United States, Israel and Iran escalated earlier this year.
Football’s governing bodies have repeatedly maintained that sporting competitions should remain separate from political disputes.
Reality surrounding Iran’s World Cup campaign suggests that separating those two worlds may prove easier said than done.
For now, Iran’s players appear set to take the field. Whether the rest of the delegation will be able to follow remains an open question as kickoff approaches.
