Iran Faces Visa Issues Ahead of 2026 FIFA World Cup

The Iran Football Federation President Mehdi Taj confirmed that no visas have been issued for the Iranian national team ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. This situation raises concerns about the team's ability to travel to the tournament, scheduled to begin in less than a month.

A decisive meeting with FIFA is expected tomorrow to discuss guarantees for visa issuance, which remains unresolved. The Iranian team is scheduled to play group matches in the United States, including fixtures in Los Angeles and Seattle, and is expected to be based in Tucson, Arizona during the tournament.

The visa complications arise amid heightened political tensions between Tehran and Washington, alongside ongoing restrictions affecting the entry approval of Iranian officials linked to the country's military institutions. Despite these uncertainties, FIFA President Gianni Infantino has insisted that Iran will participate in the tournament.