Iran to Play 2 World Cup Matches in Los Angeles as U.S. Bars Team From Staying
Updated
Updated · POLITICO · Jun 5
Iran to Play 2 World Cup Matches in Los Angeles as U.S. Bars Team From Staying
2 articles · Updated · POLITICO · Jun 5
Summary
SoFi Stadium in Inglewood will host Iran’s first two World Cup group matches—against New Zealand on June 15 and Belgium on June 21—before Team Melli plays Egypt in Seattle on June 26.
Tijuana will serve as Iran’s base camp after organizers moved it from Arizona, with the team flying in and out because the U.S. government said it did not want Iran staying in the country.
Seattle’s June 26 match has already drawn complaints from Iran and Egypt because it falls during the city’s month-long LGBTQ+ Pride celebrations, adding another political flashpoint.
Iranian American politicians and activists expect diaspora fans to attend but protest, saying support would likely depend on players distancing themselves from the Islamic Republic.
A possible July 3 U.S.-Iran knockout meeting in Dallas would carry unusual security and political weight, unlike their World Cup meetings in 1998 and 2022, because the two countries are now at war.
With Iran viewing the World Cup as a cyber warfare opportunity, are U.S. host cities the real targets?
Will Iran's players risk execution to protest their regime on the World Cup's global stage?
Political Football: Iran’s 2026 World Cup Journey Through U.S. Visa Barriers, Border Crossings, and Diaspora Dissent
Overview
Iran’s national football team faces a unique challenge at the 2026 World Cup due to heightened U.S.-Iran tensions and recent conflicts. Originally set to train in Tucson, Arizona, the team’s base was controversially moved to Tijuana, Mexico, after a request from the Iranian Football Federation and approval from FIFA. This relocation means Iran must cross the U.S.-Mexico border daily for matches in Los Angeles and Seattle, creating unprecedented logistical and security hurdles. These difficulties, driven by political conflict and visa issues, highlight how deeply international tensions are shaping the team’s World Cup journey.