Four members of Iran’s World Cup team have won their visa battles and can now enter the United States. But 11 others are still not allowed in as the tournament draws near.
These changes come after a series of appeals were made following the initial visa refusals for some members of the Iran Football Federation delegation.
According to BBC Sport on Saturday, out of 15 people originally denied entry, 10 reapplied after arriving in Mexico. That is where the team is preparing for the tournament.
The members who got their visas include a technical staff analyst and two officials from the international department of the federation.
However, six others who reapplied were denied again. This group includes important figures like federation president Mehdi Taj, a vice-president, two team administrators, a media officer, and a security officer. One media officer chose not to apply again.
These visa issues are happening alongside rising political tensions and worries about security.
US officials have said that players can travel for the tournament. But those with ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps might face restrictions.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has previously mentioned that while athletes are welcome, entry decisions for officials linked to such groups will be reviewed.
The Iran national football team is set to play in the 2026 World Cup, which will take place in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
Their group-stage matches include games against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15, Belgium on June 21, and Egypt in Seattle on June 26.
Iran has already moved its tournament base to Mexico due to worries about security and political issues with the US.
The visa problem has made it harder for the team, especially for the support staff and federation officials who manage logistics, media, and operations.
This issue isn’t just about Iran. Other teams have also faced entry challenges, including referees and members from different countries. This raises bigger questions about access and fairness at the tournament.
Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter has spoken out, saying host nations should make sure all qualified participants and officials can enter.
FIFA knows about the problems and says it is trying to make sure everyone can participate and that teams and fans experience fewer disruptions. But FIFA cannot change national visa decisions, which means affected delegations have to rely on diplomatic and legal actions.
As the tournament gets closer, this situation shows how international sports and politics are connected. Iran’s team is ready to play, but access issues remain a concern off the field.
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