Iran Accuses US of Discriminatory Visa Practices Ahead of World Cup

Iran has strongly criticized the United States, accusing it of discriminatory visa policies after some of its World Cup support staff were denied entry. The dispute arises just days before the 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the US, Mexico, and Canada, is set to begin.

While the Iranian national football team players received their visas late Friday, Iran's embassy in Türkiye stated that a "large" number of managerial and executive staff were refused entry. The embassy accused the US of escalating "deliberate and discriminatory treatment" and urged FIFA to hold the US accountable for violating its rules.

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You have now escalated the deliberate and discriminatory treatment against Iran's national football team to its highest level. FIFA must hold the US accountable for violations of its rules and for the discriminatory treatment of Iran's national football team.

The Iranian Football Federation echoed these sentiments, describing the decision as "political interference in sport." Federation chief Mehdi Taj, reportedly among those denied a visa, suggested the US government's actions deprived the team of the opportunity to compete without discrimination. He indicated the matter would be pursued with FIFA.

Reports suggest that while players and technical staff received visas, 15 administrative and management personnel were denied. The team was scheduled to depart for Mexico after a friendly match in Antalya, Türkiye. Iran is drawn in Group G and will play its matches in the United States.

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By extending its hostile behaviour towards the Iranian nation into the field of sport, the ... US government has deprived Iran's national team of.. the opportunity to compete without discrimination.