Iran World Cup Squad Secures US Visas Days Before Tournament After Diplomatic Uncertainty
Iran’s national football team has received visas to enter the United States, resolving a last-minute uncertainty just days before the start of their World Cup campaign, according to a White House official speaking to Reuters.
The development came after Iran’s ambassador to Mexico, Abolfazl Pasandideh, said the squad was still waiting on approval as of Thursday.
The visas were reportedly issued overnight, easing concerns over the team’s participation logistics ahead of their opening match in Los Angeles.
The situation had sparked confusion in recent days, with Iran relocating its training base from Arizona to Tijuana, Mexico, amid visa delays and broader diplomatic sensitivities between Tehran and Washington.
Iran is scheduled to arrive in Tijuana early Sunday before traveling to the United States for the tournament.
Their first Group G match is set for 15 June in Los Angeles against New Zealand, followed by fixtures against Belgium in Los Angeles and Egypt in Seattle.
Officials in Iran have not publicly commented on the latest visa approval. However, the federation had previously explored contingency arrangements as uncertainty around entry permissions persisted.
A US State Department official had earlier signalled that Washington would not permit members of the Iranian delegation linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, reflecting ongoing political tensions that continue to shadow sporting engagement between the two countries.
Despite the diplomatic backdrop, both sides have now cleared a key hurdle, allowing Iran’s World Cup campaign to proceed as scheduled on US soil.
