The Iranian World Cup team left Turkey for Mexico on Tuesday, beginning a logistical chain that will take it to the United States for the tournament. The move comes amid a cloud of visa complications that have delayed several support staff and even a senior federation official.
While the players themselves have secured clearance, the federation’s secretary‑general and vice‑president were reported to be without U.S. visas, forcing the squad to relocate its pre‑tournament training from Tucson, Arizona, to the border city of Tijuana, Mexico. The shift was driven by persistent processing problems at the American consulate.
Visa saga and training shift
Iranian officials have accused the United States of politically motivated interference, saying the refusal to grant entry to key personnel is vindictive. The Iranian Football Federation announced it will take the matter to FIFA, the sport’s global governing body, which has already confirmed that Iran will compete in the U.S. edition of the World Cup.
U.S. officials counter that every player on the Iranian roster has been approved for a visa, but some back‑room staff were rejected. The Iranian Embassy in Ankara responded to a social‑media post by a U.S. ambassador, labeling the interference as biased and promising to address the issue through diplomatic channels.
The team’s schedule places its first two group matches in Inglewood, California, against New Zealand and Belgium, with a potential showdown against the United States in the round of 32 should both sides finish second in their groups. Former President Donald Trump previously warned that Iran’s participation could jeopardize player safety, a claim the Iranian squad has rejected, insisting that no one can exclude them from competition.
Despite earlier doubts from Iran’s sports minister, the federation finalized a 23‑man roster that includes 17 domestic players whose club seasons have been stalled by the regional conflict. Star forward Sardar Azmoun was omitted after a social‑media post that drew the ire of authorities, while FIFA president Gianni Infantino reaffirmed the team’s right to compete.