FIFA World Cup 2026: Iranian Team Must Leave the US Immediately After Match on Entry Day

When Iran qualified for the World Cup football qualifiers in March 2025, few anticipated the challenges that would follow. With several months left before the tournament begins, questions about whether Iran will participate have become one of the most complex issues of this competition. This is due to a military strike initiated by Israel against Iran with the aim of targeting the country’s supreme leader, all while the Iranian national football team faces the prospect of traveling to the United States to compete.

The conflict remains unresolved. Members of the Iranian football team face uncertainty over whether they will receive US visas, alongside challenges related to where to train regularly and how to participate in the matches. Ultimately, under stringent conditions, they have been granted US visas, making Iran one of the first teams to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. However, visa applications for Iran Football Federation President Mehdi Taj and some team staff members have been denied. According to the US State Department, speaking anonymously to the BBC, visas were issued only to essential players and supporting staff. The department added, “False pretenses will not be tolerated to allow terrorists to enter the United States, nor will the Iranian team be allowed to abuse the system.”

Abolfazl Pasandideh, the Iranian ambassador stationed in Mexico, stated that the Iranian national team has been issued visas on the condition that they may enter the United States only on the day of their match and must leave the US on the same day. Prior to the outbreak of the conflict, the team planned to hold their training camp in Tucson, Arizona. However, the team has now agreed to stay in Tijuana, Mexico, a change that FIFA has also approved. Iran will play all three of its group stage matches in the United States: against New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles, and against Egypt in Seattle.