FIFA promised US World Cup visas, says Iran

Iran's men's national football team has received assurances from FIFA that visas will be granted for their participation in the upcoming World Cup, which is being co-hosted by the United States. This development comes despite ongoing geopolitical tensions between Iran and the U.S.

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The FIFA president promised us that all our players would receive visas. There is no reason why our players should not receive visas.

Iran's Sports Minister, Ahmad Donyamali, was quoted by local media stating that FIFA President Gianni Infantino personally promised that all Iranian players would receive the necessary visas. "There is no reason why our players should not receive visas," Donyamali said, expressing hope that all conditions would be met for the team to participate smoothly.

To navigate potential visa complications, the Iranian squad plans to base themselves in Tijuana, Mexico, located on the U.S. border. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed that Mexico will permit Iran to use Tijuana as their base, effectively bypassing U.S. entry restrictions. The Iranian national team is expected to obtain multiple-entry visas from the United States while in Mexico.

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I hope that all the conditions will be met so that the national team can participate in the tournament in a calm and orderly manner.

FIFA has previously confirmed Iran's scheduled participation, with President Infantino stating at a congress in Vancouver that the team would play their games in the U.S. as planned. The Iranian team is currently preparing in Turkey, and some players have already begun the visa application process at the U.S. embassy in Ankara. Iran is drawn in Group G and is scheduled to play its opening matches in Los Angeles.

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In Mexico, the Iranian national team is expected to obtain multiple-entry visas issued by the United States.