Strict Travel Rules Require Iranian Team to Enter and Exit the US on Match Days Only

Strict travel regulations have been imposed on the Iranian football team participating in the FIFA World Cup 2026 regarding their entry into the United States. Due to visa issues, Iran has relocated its training camp from Arizona, USA, to Tijuana, Mexico. Ambassador Abolfaz Pasandideh told reporters, “We can enter the US in the morning and must return the same day.”

On June 7, Kathmandu – According to Iran’s ambassador stationed in Mexico, the team is required to enter the United States only on the day of their match and must leave on that same day. Although Iranian players received US visas on Friday, some officials connected to the team, including Iran Football Federation President Mehdi Taj, were reportedly denied visas.

Ambassador Pasandideh stated, “We will enter the US early in the morning and must depart on the same day after the match.” However, the team spokesperson Amir Mahdi has mentioned that players were granted multiple-entry visas, and the team plans to arrive at the match venue one or two days in advance. This discrepancy has created uncertainty regarding travel arrangements. The Iranian team, placed in Group G, will begin their World Cup campaign on June 15 in Los Angeles against New Zealand. They will then face Belgium on June 21 and end the group stage by playing Egypt in Seattle on June 26.