Iran's World Cup team restricted to same-day entry/exit for US matches

Iran's national football team faces stringent entry and exit rules for the 2026 World Cup, being permitted to enter and leave U.S. territory only on the same day as their scheduled matches. This policy stems from visa restrictions imposed by the United States amid ongoing political tensions with Tehran.

"We can enter in the morning and must leave again on the same day," stated Iran's Ambassador to Mexico, Abolfazl Pasandideh. The conflict, exacerbated by recent U.S. and Israeli actions against Iran, has forced the national squad to significantly alter their preparation plans. Consequently, their planned training camp in Tucson, Arizona, has been canceled, with the team now relocating their base to Mexico.

Iran is scheduled to play three group stage matches within the U.S., with two games set for Los Angeles, California, and one in Seattle, Washington. Although a ceasefire is in place and diplomatic channels are active in pursuit of a peace agreement, the broader U.S.-Iran dispute continues to cast a shadow over international sporting events.