Iranian team in crisis! Eleven members are denied visas, unable to set foot on U.S. soil for the 2026 World Cup.
On 14 June 2026, before their 2026 World Cup matches, the Iranian national team faced a setback as 11 delegation members were denied U.S. visas, preventing them from traveling to the country to participate in the tournament.
Although there was some positive news earlier—initially, 15 members of the Iranian delegation were denied visas in the first round—during the second round, 10 applied again, with 4 appealing successfully and receiving visas.
However, 11 individuals still were not permitted to enter the U.S. during the Iranian team's competition period. Those whose visa appeals were rejected included Mehdi Taj, president of the Iranian Football Federation; two vice presidents of the federation; one team executive responsible for coordination and order; one media staff member; and one security officer.
Iran has accused the U.S. of denying visas to key team personnel, which has significantly affected the team's preparations. Prior to the competition, the Iranian national team relocated their training base to Mexico to prepare.
This incident highlights the ongoing political tensions between Iran and the United States, which continue to impact global sporting events, despite the World Cup's role as a unifying international festival.