Iran’s national football team has arrived in Mexico ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup as a dispute continues over US visas for members of its delegation.
The team landed in the Mexican border city of Tijuana on Sunday and will use it as its base during the tournament. Iran had originally planned to train in Tucson, Arizona, but moved its base to Mexico in late May.
According to international media reports, all three of Iran’s group-stage matches will be played in the United States. Players and key support staff have been granted visas, but Iranian officials say several members of the delegation have been denied entry.
Iranian media reported that around 15 officials, including senior football federation representatives and media staff, were refused US visas.
US officials said visas had been issued to all players and essential support staff. However, they said the country would not allow anyone with links to the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) to enter under World Cup accreditation.
The dispute comes despite Iran securing qualification for the tournament in March 2025, well before the latest conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran.
Iran’s embassy in Turkey accused Washington of political interference in sport and called on FIFA to intervene. The embassy said visa restrictions had affected a significant number of administrative staff and technical advisers.
The 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, begins on 11 June.
Iran will open its campaign against Belgium in Los Angeles on 15 June before facing Egypt in Seattle in their remaining group-stage matches.
