TIJUANA: Iran’s national football team arrived in Mexico on Sunday ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, as a dispute over US visa approvals for members of the delegation overshadowed the squad’s preparations for the tournament.
The issue emerged just days before the World Cup begins on June 11, with Iranian officials and team representatives criticizing delays and visa denials affecting several support staff members. The situation has drawn attention because Iran will play all of its group-stage matches in the United States despite being based in Mexico during the tournament.
The Iranian squad landed in the border city of Tijuana after completing a training camp in Türkiye. The team is expected to remain in Tijuana throughout the competition and travel to the United States for its Group G matches against New Zealand, Belgium and Egypt.
Speaking upon arrival, Iran head coach Amir Ghalenoei expressed frustration over the travel arrangements, saying the team had hoped to arrive earlier to adjust to the significant time difference.
He also thanked FIFA for its efforts to help facilitate entry procedures but said the team was disappointed by the circumstances surrounding the visa process.
Visa concerns raised by team officials
Iran captain Ehsan Hajsafi said he intended to raise concerns with FIFA regarding the timing of the visa approvals. He added that the team remained fully focused on the tournament despite the challenges.
Player Alireza Jahanbakhsh said preparations had gone well during the training camp in Türkiye and that the squad was concentrating on its opening match against New Zealand.
According to Iranian officials, players received US visas shortly before departing for Mexico. However, Iran’s embassy in Türkiye stated that several administrative and management staff members were denied visas.
The embassy described the decision as discriminatory and called on FIFA to address the matter under its regulations governing international competitions.
Conflicting reports over travel conditions
Additional uncertainty emerged after Iran’s ambassador to Mexico said the team had been informed it would need to enter and leave the United States on the same day as its matches.
However, a spokesperson for Iran’s football federation later said the team had received multiple-entry visas and planned to arrive at match venues one or two days before each game.
FIFA regulations require participating teams to conduct pre-match media activities, including official news conferences, at host venues before games.
US response
Iran’s Football Federation has criticized the visa restrictions, describing them as political interference in sport.
A US administration official did not comment directly on individual visa cases but said authorities would not allow the visa process to be misused by individuals posing security concerns.
Earlier this year, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated that concerns related to some members of delegations rather than players themselves.
The visa dispute comes against the backdrop of ongoing tensions between Washington and Tehran, adding a political dimension to Iran’s participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Also Read : FIFA World Cup 2026: US reportedly denies visas to 15 members of Iran delegation
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