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By Lawrence Agbo
Iran’s national football team has arrived in Mexico ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, even as tensions persist with the United States over visa restrictions affecting members of its delegation.
The squad departed its training base in Antalya, Turkey, and landed in Tijuana, Mexico, where it will remain throughout the tournament.
The relocation followed weeks of uncertainty linked to diplomatic frictions and complications surrounding entry permits to the United States.
Although the players were granted visas to compete in their group-stage matches on US soil, several officials and support staff were reportedly denied entry or left awaiting approval.
Iranian sources say around 15 administrative personnel were affected, raising concerns within the team’s management structure.
The situation has triggered strong reactions from Tehran. Iranian officials accused Washington of unfair treatment and urged FIFA to intervene, describing the visa restrictions as politically motivated interference in sport.
“You have now escalated the deliberate and discriminatory treatment against Iran’s national football team to its highest level,” the embassy wrote Saturday on X.
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“Hold the US accountable for violations of its rules,” it added.
Tensions intensified further after Iranian representatives claimed the team had been informed of strict entry conditions requiring players to enter the US only on match days and leave immediately after games, a claim that contrasts with standard World Cup logistics and has added confusion to travel arrangements.
“The visas issued for the national team are multiple-entry visas, and the national team will arrive at the match venue one day before the first game and, for the following games, two days prior to each match,” Alavi said.
The United States, however, maintains that all necessary visas for players and essential team personnel have been issued. US authorities have also emphasized that national security considerations remain central to their visa decisions and warned against potential misuse of the system.
“The visas necessary for Iran to compete in the World Cup, including for athletes and necessary support staff, have been issued,” a US administration official stated.
Iran’s participation in the tournament remains unaffected, with the team set to play its Group G fixtures in Los Angeles against New Zealand and Belgium, before concluding its group campaign against Egypt in Seattle.
Despite the off-field dispute, preparations continue as the Iranian squad settles into its base in Mexico ahead of the tournament kickoff.
