The Iran national football team has not yet secured U.S. visas needed to compete in the 2026 World Cup. Recently, they received Mexican visas and are preparing to set up a training camp.
On 3 June 2026, the Iran national team preparing for the 2026 World Cup obtained Mexican visas. However, U.S. visas are still being processed, posing a major issue since all three group stage matches will be held in the United States.
Mehdi Taj, president of the Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran, stated that the national team will travel to Spain first on Saturday, then fly directly to Tijuana, Mexico. He expects the U.S. visas to be granted within this week.
Originally, Iran planned to hold their training camp in Arizona, but they requested to switch to a venue in Tijuana, Mexico, located on the U.S. border, for easier cross-border access when competing.
Abolfazl Pasandideh, Iran’s ambassador to Mexico, said the team has not received U.S. visas and is not participating on equal terms in the World Cup, as they cannot prepare fully. He stated, “We are not competing equally; we cannot train the team as we should.”
The conflict involving the U.S., Israel, and Iran, which began on 28 February, has cast uncertainty over Iran’s World Cup participation. Although U.S. President Donald Trump affirmed that players and staff will be “welcomed,” visas have yet to be issued.
Iran’s 2026 World Cup schedule in Group G
• 15 June — vs. New Zealand in Los Angeles
• 21 June — vs. Belgium in Los Angeles
• 26 June — vs. Egypt in Seattle