Before the 2026 World Cup has even kicked off, Iran’s national team has once again found itself at the center of political controversy.
Although Iranian players received visas to enter the United States, several "integral" members of their coaching staff and the Iranian Football Federation were denied entry permits, the Daily Mail reported on Sunday, triggering outrage in Tehran and prompting threats of a formal appeal to FIFA.
According to the report, U.S. authorities informed Iranian officials that players would only be allowed to enter the United States on match days and would have to leave within 24 hours. In addition, several key members of the team's administrative and professional staff were denied visas altogether.
Despite the difficulties, the players themselves eventually secured visas following a lengthy process conducted through the U.S. Embassy in Turkey. Iran's squad had been holding a training camp in Antalya, Turkey, where the applications were arranged.
U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack welcomed the development in a social media post on Friday, saying that “sports transcend borders” and that he was pleased to welcome athletes and fans from around the world.
But the dispute appears far from over. According to Iranian sources, 12 officials — including team executive director Mehdi Kharati, Iranian Football Federation Secretary General Hedayat Mombeini and media director Mohsen Motamedkia — were denied entry because of alleged ties to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
The Iranian Football Federation blasted the decision, accusing Washington of politicizing the tournament. “The U.S. government, continuing its hostile actions against the national team … made a non-sporting and completely political decision to refuse visas for key managerial and administrative members of the Iranian national football team,” the federation said in a statement.
The federation said it would ask FIFA to intervene immediately. “This issue will definitely be pursued by the Football Federation through FIFA. As the responsible body, it has the duty to follow up and finalize the visas for the managerial, executive, technical and support staff of the Iranian national team who are currently in camp and whom the national team urgently needs,” the statement said.
Iran's embassy in Turkey also joined the criticism, accusing U.S. authorities of ignoring the importance of the personnel barred from entering the country. “The U.S. government in practice is depriving Iran’s national team of its right to play in the World Cup under normal conditions and without undue pressure and stress,” the embassy said.
According to The Associated Press, U.S. officials suspect that some of the applicants attempted to obtain visas under false pretenses. Several of those denied entry reportedly previously served in the Revolutionary Guard, which the United States designates as a foreign terrorist organization.
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Iran's World Cup 2026 squad
(Photo: Handout / IRAN FOOTBALL FEDERATION PRESS OFFICE / AFP)
The players themselves will also face unusual restrictions. Iranian officials said members of the squad will only be permitted to enter the United States shortly before matches and will be required to leave soon afterward.
As a result, Iran moved its World Cup base camp to Tijuana, Mexico. The team had originally planned to establish a permanent training base in Tucson, Arizona, but abandoned those plans because of the restrictions and will instead travel separately for each match.
Iran is scheduled to play all three of its Group Stage matches in the United States — against New Zealand, Belgium and Egypt — significantly increasing the team's logistical burden and travel demands.