Iran's World Cup 2026 team granted US visas, AP reports

The Iranian national football team has received approval for visas to enter the United States to participate in the 2026 World Cup, according to US officials speaking to the Associated Press (AP).

This development follows earlier difficulties in the visa application process, which had prompted Iran to shift its training camp from Tucson, Arizona, to Tijuana, Mexico, located near the California border. Unnamed US officials confirmed to AP that all Iranian players have been approved and are in the process of receiving their visas, which are expected to be delivered within days.

The team is currently preparing for the World Cup in Antalya, Turkey, before heading to Tijuana. They applied for their Mexican visas at the Mexican Embassy in Ankara, Turkey, where they also completed the procedures for their US visas. The US Ambassador to Turkey, Tom Barrack, acknowledged the efforts of the US Embassy in Ankara in processing these visas, stating, "Sports transcend borders, and we look forward to welcoming athletes and fans from all over the world."

Iran is scheduled to play its first two matches of the 2026 World Cup in Inglewood, California, facing New Zealand on June 15 and Belgium on June 21. They will then move to Seattle to play Egypt on June 26. A potential match against the United States could occur in the Round of 32 on July 3 in Texas, should both teams finish second in their respective groups.

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Sports transcend borders, and we look forward to welcoming athletes and fans from all over the world.