While Iran’s players have been cleared to enter the United States for the FIFA World Cup, several members of the team’s support staff are still awaiting visa approval.
Players Cleared to Travel
Iran’s national football team has received US visas ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, according to a US official, ending uncertainty over whether the players would be able to participate in the tournament.
The confirmation came just days before Iran’s opening match in the competition. Earlier, Iran’s ambassador to Mexico, Abolfazl Pasandideh, had indicated that visas had not yet been issued.
However, a US official later confirmed that all players had received the necessary travel documents.
Some Staff Members Still Waiting
Despite the approval for players, Iranian media reported that several members of the delegation’s administrative staff were still awaiting visas.
According to reports, those yet to receive approval include:
- Mehdi Kharati, Executive Director
- Hedayat Mombini, Secretary General of the football federation
- Mohsen Motamedkia, Media Director
Iranian media stated that the affected staff members would travel with the squad to Mexico while efforts to secure their visas continue.
Tournament Takes Place Amid Political Tensions
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by United States, Mexico and Canada, is taking place against the backdrop of heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran.
The tournament marks a rare situation in World Cup history, as a host nation is set to welcome a country with which it is engaged in a major geopolitical conflict.
Recent months have seen ongoing military confrontations and difficult negotiations between the United States and Iran, adding an unusual political dimension to the global sporting event.
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Iran Moves Base Camp to Mexico
Due to visa-related complications and political sensitivities, Iran reportedly negotiated a last-minute relocation of its team base from Arizona in the United States to Tijuana, Mexico.
The move was seen as a practical solution that would reduce the amount of time the squad spends inside the United States while still allowing it to fulfil its tournament commitments.
The team is expected to arrive in Tijuana before travelling to its match venues.
Iran’s World Cup Schedule
Iran has been drawn into Group G and is scheduled to play:
- New Zealand national football team on June 15 in Los Angeles
- Belgium national football team in Los Angeles
- Egypt national football team in Seattle
The matches are expected to attract significant international attention both for sporting reasons and because of the wider political context surrounding the team’s participation.
US Position on Delegation Members
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently told lawmakers that Washington would not permit individuals linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to enter the country as part of the Iranian delegation.
The issue has previously affected Iranian football officials. For example, Mehdi Taj was reportedly denied entry to attend the World Cup draw in Washington in December due to his past association with the Revolutionary Guards.
Football Amid Diplomacy
Iranian Ambassador Pasandideh described his country’s participation in the World Cup as evidence that Tehran remains interested in engagement despite ongoing hostilities.
He argued that Iran’s decision to compete on US soil demonstrates a willingness to pursue peaceful interaction through sport, even as political and military disputes continue.
With the tournament set to begin, the focus now shifts from diplomatic challenges to football, although the broader geopolitical backdrop is likely to remain a prominent talking point throughout Iran’s World Cup campaign.
