Reports indicate that the Iranian national football team still has not obtained visas to enter the United States for the 2026 World Cup, even though only about half a month remains.
On 29 May 2026, amid ongoing tensions, Iran's ambassador to Mexico openly criticized the United States after the Iranian national team continued to be denied U.S. visas, despite the 2026 World Cup starting in just a few weeks.
Abolfazl Pasandideh, Iran’s ambassador to Mexico, traveled to Tijuana in northwestern Mexico, the location of the Iranian team's temporary training camp, after the original plan to train in Tucson, Arizona, U.S., had to be canceled.
At a press conference, Pasandideh used symbolic language referring to the “northern country,” meaning the United States, stating that it has not fulfilled its obligations as host towards the Iranian team, adding, “We do not know if they will issue visas to the players.”
The ambassador also said that Iran is not participating in the World Cup under equal conditions and cannot train properly due to the U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran that began on 28 February.
Iran is in Group G alongside Belgium, Egypt, and New Zealand, with all three matches scheduled to be played in the United States.