Iran’s national football team is set to participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup after US officials confirmed that visas have been issued for the players, ending weeks of uncertainty surrounding the squad’s travel plans. The tournament is being co-hosted by the United States, Canada,and Mexico, but Iran’s preparations have been complicated by ongoing tensions between Washington and Tehran, as well as concerns related to the continuing conflict involving Iran.
A US official confirmed to ABC News that members of Iran’s World Cup squad had received visas allowing them to enter and compete in the United States. The team applied for visas through the US Embassy in Turkiye, where it has been holding a training camp in Antalya.
US Ambassador to Turkiye Tom Barrack appeared to confirm the development in a post on X.
“Proud of our outstanding team at the US Embassy in Ankara for their work processing visas for Iran’s national football team on their road to the FIFA World Cup in the United States,” Barrack wrote.
“Sports transcends borders, and we look forward to welcoming competitors and fans from around the world.”
A US official also told The Associated Press that visas had been issued for players, coaches, trainers, and some support staff. It remains unclear whether any applicants were denied visas.
Team Iran Adjusts Plans Amid Security Concerns
Although Iran remains part of the tournament, the team’s participation has been overshadowed by visa concerns, political tensions and logistical challenges.
Iran is scheduled to open its World Cup campaign on June 15. However, its training base was moved at the last minute from Tucson, Arizona, to Tijuana, Mexico, after concerns emerged regarding security and the team’s presence in the United States.
The team is expected to arrive in Tijuana early Sunday.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said American authorities would closely monitor the Iranian delegation for individuals with ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
“We have no problem with the athletes, as we stated earlier, or their support staff,” Rubio said. “But what we’re not going to allow is for them to embed in their delegation a bunch of people that we know have nothing to do with athletics and have ties to the IRGC.”
Iran will play New Zealand on June 15 and Belgium on June 21 in Inglewood, California, before facing Egypt in Seattle on June 26.
Despite concerns raised in recent months, FIFA has maintained that Iran would fully participate in the World Cup, and the latest visa approvals clear a major hurdle ahead of Team Melli’s tournament campaign.
