Iran’s National Soccer Team Faces Visa Challenges Ahead of 2026 World Cup

Mehdi Taj, president of Iran’s soccer federation, emphasized dealing with FIFA rather than the United States to secure visas for the upcoming tournament. The World Cup starts next week, and Iran’s team faces uncertainty about visa approvals.

Iran’s preparations for the World Cup have been marked by the ongoing war and heated discourse. Concerns persist over whether the team will secure visas promptly. This situation prompted meetings between Iranian diplomats and top soccer leaders to address these challenges.

Mr. Taj, a former commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, has openly criticized the United States for the complications concerning Iran’s participation. He asserts that a decision, made in collaboration with FIFA, was necessary to limit Iran’s time in the United States. This decision reflects ongoing tension as the team plans to travel to Mexico instead of the U.S.

Speaking via video call, Mr. Taj highlighted that Iran was the third team to qualify for the tournament, which includes 48 teams and hosts spanning the United States, Canada, and Mexico. This World Cup marks the first instance of a host nation being at war with a competing country.

Iran’s preparations have encountered challenges, impacting the team adversely. Recently, Iran shifted its World Cup base from the United States to Tijuana. The move followed discussions with FIFA in Turkey, where the team has trained for much of the past month.