Iran's Football Team Secures US Visas Ahead of World Cup

The Iranian national football team has received the necessary visas to travel to the United States for the upcoming World Cup, U.S. officials have announced. This decision comes just a week before their first match against New Zealand, scheduled for June 15 in Los Angeles.

"The visas necessary for Iran to compete in the World Cup, including for athletes and necessary support staff, have been issued," officials confirmed. However, they also stressed that the U.S. would closely monitor the situation to prevent any potential misuse of the visa system, particularly concerning security concerns.

As of now, the Iranian football federation has not issued any statements regarding the visa approvals. The FIFA World Cup 2026 is set to commence on June 11, and will take place across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. This event marks a historic moment, as it will be the first time a host nation welcomes a team from a country it is in conflict with.

In a recent development, Iran shifted its training camp from Tucson, Arizona, to Mexico, a move attributed to complications with the visa process, according to Mehdi Taj, the president of Iran's soccer federation. Just days ago, reports indicated that some members of the team's technical and administrative staff were still awaiting their visas.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has made it clear that individuals associated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guards, a significant faction of Iran's military, would not be permitted to join the football delegation. Notably, several players on the Iranian squad have fulfilled their mandatory military service with this group.