Iran's World Cup players get US visas, but staff face delays

Iran's national soccer team players have secured U.S. visas just ten days before their opening match in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a U.S. official confirmed. However, the team's administrative and media staff have reportedly not yet received their visas, raising concerns just days before the tournament begins.

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The US government, continuing its hostile actions against the national team ... made a non-sporting and completely political decision to refuse visas for key managerial and administrative members of the Iranian national football team.

Iran's football federation has strongly condemned the visa situation, labeling the U.S. decision as "non-sporting and completely political." The federation stated its intention to escalate the issue with FIFA, soccer's global governing body, asserting that FIFA has a duty to ensure all necessary visas are finalized for the team's staff. The federation highlighted the urgency, noting the staff's critical need for the team's ongoing preparations.

The geopolitical context of the tournament is particularly significant, as it marks the first World Cup since its inception in 1930 where a host nation will face a country with which it is currently engaged in conflict. This tension has already influenced the team's logistics, with Iran negotiating a last-minute relocation of their base camp from Arizona to Tijuana, Mexico, to minimize the team's presence in the United States.

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This issue will definitely be pursued by the Football Federation through FIFA.

Iranian media reported that key figures such as Executive Director Mehdi Kharati and secretary general Hedayat Mombini are among those still awaiting visas. Staff members without visas are expected to travel to Mexico with the team while efforts to resolve the visa issues continue. The team is scheduled to arrive in Tijuana early Sunday, with their first Group G match against New Zealand set for June 15.

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As the responsible body, (FIFA) has the duty to follow up and finalize the visas for the managerial, executive, technical, and support staff of the Iranian national team who are currently in camp and whom the national team urgently needs.