White House confirms Iran football visas amid geopolitical tensions
The US government has authorised entry for Iran’s national football squad for the 2026 World Cup, though administrative staff face rejection and the team will remain in Tijuana to minimise US soil presence.
The White House has confirmed that visas have been issued to members of Iran’s national football team, allowing them to enter the United States for the 2026 World Cup. The approval comes approximately ten days before the squad’s scheduled opening Group G match against New Zealand in Los Angeles on 15 June.
US Ambassador to Turkiye, Tom Barrack, confirmed the issuance of visas on social media platform X, crediting the US Embassy in Ankara for processing the applications. This statement followed reports from Iran’s ambassador to Mexico, Abolfazl Pasandideh, who indicated late on Thursday that the squad had not yet received their documents but noted they were granted overnight.
Despite the approval for players, significant administrative hurdles remain. Semi-official Fars news agency reported on Friday that visas for some members of the national team’s technical and administrative staff have not been issued, with the US embassy reportedly refusing to grant them. The Iran Football Federation has not yet issued a public statement regarding the situation.
Geopolitical tensions have heavily influenced the logistical arrangements for the tournament. Amid ongoing conflict between the two nations, Iran’s team base was moved from Arizona to Tijuana, Mexico, to minimise the squad’s presence on US soil. The team is scheduled to land in Tijuana early on Sunday.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on Tuesday that the US would not allow individuals linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to be included in the Iranian delegation. This restriction follows the previous denial of entry for Mehdi Taj, president of Iran’s football federation and a former IRGC commander, during the tournament draw in Washington in December.
Iran’s participation is being framed by Tehran as a diplomatic signal. Pasandideh stated that Iran’s desire to compete, even on the soil of a nation it is at war with, underscores its efforts to reach a resolution in the conflict. Progress in peace talks between Iran and the US has been slow, with both sides inching towards an interim agreement while continuing military strikes.
The 2026 World Cup marks the first instance since the tournament’s inception in 1930 where a host nation is set to receive a country with which it is at war. Iran is scheduled to play matches against New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles, and against Egypt in Seattle.
