Iran’s World Cup Journey Cleared as US Issues Entry Visas

Iran’s national football team has been granted visas to enter the United States ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, clearing a major hurdle for the country’s participation in the tournament despite continuing geopolitical tensions between Tehran and Washington.

Confirmation of the visa approvals came on Friday from the United States Ambassador to Turkey, Tom Barrack, while the US State Department separately verified the development through an official statement.

The decision ensures that Iran will compete in football’s biggest tournament even as relations between the United States and Iran remain strained following months of military confrontations and a fragile ceasefire arrangement.

Barrack praised embassy officials involved in processing the applications, describing the development as an example of sport’s ability to bridge political divides.

“Proud of our outstanding team at the U.S. Embassy in Ankara for their work processing visas for Iran’s national football team on their road to the FIFA World Cup in the United States,” he said.

“Sports transcends borders, and we look forward to welcoming competitors and fans from around the world.”

A senior US administration official also confirmed the approvals but stressed that stringent security screening procedures remained in place.

“We will not allow the Iranian team to abuse this system to sneak terrorists into the United States under false pretenses,” the official said.

Iran’s national team is expected to depart Turkey for Spain before proceeding to its World Cup training base in Mexico, where it is scheduled to arrive ahead of the tournament.

Although Iran will be camped in Mexico throughout the competition, all three of its group-stage matches are scheduled to be played in the United States.

The team had initially planned to establish its base within the United States but opted to relocate to Mexico due to the heightened tensions between the two countries following the outbreak of conflict earlier in the year.

Iran will begin its World Cup campaign against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 16 before taking on Belgium, also in Los Angeles.

Its final group-stage fixture will be against Egypt in Seattle.

The visa approvals mark a rare moment of sporting cooperation amid ongoing diplomatic and military strains, underscoring FIFA’s commitment to ensuring the participation of qualified teams regardless of political differences between nations.

For Iran, the clearance removes uncertainty surrounding its World Cup preparations and allows the team to focus fully on its quest for success at the global tournament.