Iran Protests U.S. Visa Rules for 2026 World Cup

The Iranian football federation has formally protested against strict U.S. visa rules that affect the Iranian national soccer team's participation in the 2026 World Cup. Due to ongoing security concerns related to the Middle East conflict, U.S. authorities have imposed extreme travel restrictions on the Iranian team, requiring them to enter the United States less than 24 hours before their matches.

This has forced the entire squad to temporarily base themselves in Mexico and travel back and forth across the border for games, severely impacting their preparation and performance. Head coach Amir Ghalenoei criticized the hectic travel routine, which he believes harmed the team's performance during a recent match against New Zealand.

The Iranian officials have publicly declared that these restrictions violate fair play principles, and they are urging FIFA to intervene. The situation has raised concerns about the integrity of the tournament and the treatment of participating nations.