FIFA Guarantees Visas for Iranian Squad

Iran’s participation in the 2026 World Cup has finally been secured after FIFA confirmed that the national team will receive the necessary travel documents. Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali stated that FIFA President Gianni Infantino personally assured Tehran that all players and staff would be granted visas, despite the complex geopolitical climate surrounding the tournament.

The assurance comes after months of uncertainty regarding whether the Iranian squad could compete in a tournament co-hosted by the United States. Tensions escalated significantly after the U.S. and Israel began military strikes against Iran on February 28, sparking a wider conflict across the Middle East. These developments raised serious questions about whether Iranian athletes would be permitted entry into the host nation.

Strategic Base in Tijuana

To navigate the logistical and political hurdles, the Iranian football federation has arranged for the national team to base itself in Tijuana, Mexico, during the tournament. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed that Mexico will host the Iranian camp, providing a strategic entry point into the United States without requiring the team to reside in U.S. territory.

Minister Donyamali explained that the team will obtain multiple-entry visas issued by the United States while stationed in Mexico. This arrangement allows the squad to travel freely to their match venues across the southern and western United States while maintaining a secure base of operations just across the border.

Group Stage Schedule and Preparation

The Iranian national team is currently undergoing preparations in Antalya, southern Türkiye. Several players recently visited the U.S. embassy in Ankara to submit their visa applications, marking a critical step in finalizing their travel plans. The tournament, jointly hosted by the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, is set to kick off on June 11.

Iran has been drawn into Group G and will face a challenging schedule. They will open their campaign against New Zealand on June 15 in Los Angeles, followed by a clash with Belgium on June 21, also in Los Angeles. The group stage concludes with a match against Egypt in Seattle on June 26. Infantino previously confirmed at the FIFA congress in Vancouver that Iran would play their scheduled games in the U.S., reinforcing the commitment to allowing all qualified nations to compete.