Iran’s participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup has been thrown into uncertainty after the country’s football federation said players are still waiting for United States visas, less than a month before the tournament begins.
As reported by BBC Sport on Thursday, Iran Football Federation president, Mehdi Taj, confirmed that no visas have yet been issued for the national team, raising concerns over their ability to travel for the competition, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
“Tomorrow or the day after tomorrow, we will have a decisive meeting with FIFA. They must give us guarantees, because the visa issue has still not been resolved.
“We have not received any account from the other side regarding who has been granted visas. No visas have been issued yet,” Taj said.
The team is scheduled to play its group matches in the United States, including fixtures in Los Angeles and Seattle, with Iran expected to be based in Tucson, Arizona, during the tournament.
The situation comes amid heightened political tensions between Tehran and Washington, alongside ongoing restrictions affecting entry approvals for Iranian officials and individuals linked to the country’s military institutions.
Despite the uncertainty, FIFA president Gianni Infantino has insisted that Iran will take part in the tournament.
“Of course, Iran will play in the United States of America,” Infantino said at a recent FIFA congress.
However, Iran’s football authorities have demanded assurances from FIFA, including guarantees over visa approvals and treatment of their delegation.
Iran has also previously raised concerns over restrictions linked to alleged ties between some individuals and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), a factor that has complicated visa processing.
As the countdown to the World Cup continues, Iran has maintained that it remains committed to participation but is pushing for urgent diplomatic and administrative resolution to avoid disruption to its campaign.
The visa issue now stands as one of the most pressing off-field controversies ahead of football’s biggest global tournament.
ess than a month before the tournament begins.
As reported by BBC Sport on Thursday, Iran Football Federation president Mehdi Taj confirmed that no visas have yet been issued for the national team, raising concerns over their ability to travel for the competition, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
“Tomorrow or the day after tomorrow, we will have a decisive meeting with FIFA. They must give us guarantees, because the visa issue has still not been resolved,” Taj said.
“We have not received any account from the other side regarding who has been granted visas. No visas have been issued yet.”
The team is scheduled to play its group matches in the United States, including fixtures in Los Angeles and Seattle, with Iran expected to be based in Tucson, Arizona during the tournament.
The situation comes amid heightened political tensions between Tehran and Washington, alongside ongoing restrictions affecting entry approvals for Iranian officials and individuals linked to the country’s military institutions.
Despite the uncertainty, FIFA president Gianni Infantino has insisted that Iran will take part in the tournament.
“Of course, Iran will play in the United States of America,” Infantino said at a recent FIFA congress.
However, Iran’s football authorities have demanded assurances from FIFA, including guarantees over visa approvals and treatment of their delegation.
Iran has also previously raised concerns over restrictions linked to alleged ties between some individuals and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), a factor that has complicated visa processing.
As the countdown to the World Cup continues, Iran has maintained that it remains committed to participation but is pushing for urgent diplomatic and administrative resolution to avoid disruption to its campaign.
The visa issue now stands as one of the most pressing off-field controversies ahead of football’s biggest global tournament.
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