Iran World Cup squad awaits visa approval ahead of 2026 tournament

Iran’s football team is still awaiting visas for the 2026 World Cup despite fan rallies and tournament preparations.

World Cup visa delay confirmed Iran Football Association president Mehdi Taj confirmed that the team’s visas for the 2026 World Cup have not yet been issued. Thousands of supporters gathered in Tehran on Wednesday for a farewell event before the squad’s departure to the tournament, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico beginning on June 11. Taj described the visa issue as unresolved, stating that no approvals have been received. He added that a critical meeting with FIFA is scheduled for the coming days to seek guarantees. ## Upcoming fixtures and team base Iran is set to face New Zealand on June 15 and Belgium on June 21, both matches taking place in Los Angeles. Their third group-stage game against Egypt will be in Seattle on June 26. The team will train and stay in Tucson, Arizona, during the tournament. The squad’s travel and participation remain subject to final visa approvals. ## Geopolitical tensions and FIFA’s stance The United States and Iran are engaged in conflict, though a temporary month-long ceasefire is in effect. FIFA president Gianni Infantino previously assured that Iran’s participation in the World Cup in the United States would proceed as planned. He made this statement during FIFA’s annual congress in Vancouver earlier in the year. ## Border incident and visa restrictions At the Vancouver congress, Iranian FA officials, including Taj, were denied entry at the Canadian border and later returned home. Iran was the only nation absent from the event. Canada’s immigration minister later explained that Taj’s visa was revoked during his flight due to his alleged ties to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). ## Conditions for participation submitted The Iranian FA (FFIRI) has delivered a formal list of ten demands to FIFA regarding their World Cup involvement. One key requirement is that players, coaches, and officials who have fulfilled military service with the IRGC should be granted visas. This request follows statements from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio that athletes would be welcomed, while individuals linked to the IRGC could face entry bans.