A diplomatic hurdle for a historic tournament
Mahdi Mohammad Nabi, Iran’s World Cup team supervisor, has openly criticized FIFA for failing to secure visas for the country’s soccer federation officials to travel to the United States for the tournament’s matches.
The U.S. State Department rejected the visas, citing concerns that the applicants might be attempting to "sneak terrorists" into the country, a claim that has drawn sharp rebuke from Iranian officials.
The denial has rippled through the team’s preparations; players have been forced to relocate their training base from Arizona to Tijuana, Mexico, to mitigate the logistical hurdles.
The 2026 World Cup, the first edition to be co‑hosted by Mexico, the United States and Canada, is already the largest tournament in history, but the geopolitical strain adds an unprecedented layer of complexity.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has defended the governing body’s role, stating that immigration decisions are the prerogative of host nations and that FIFA cannot dictate visa policy.
Saeid Ezzatollahi, an Iranian player, confirmed that families will be unable to attend the event due to the same restrictions, and he recalled promises made by FIFA that staff would receive entry permits.
Amid escalating strikes between Iran and the United States, the situation underscores how a sporting spectacle is being shaped by broader diplomatic tensions.