Iran Accuses US of Denying World Cup Visas to Staff 10 Days Before Opener

3 articles · Updated · BBC.com · Jun 6

Iran said the US denied visas to a large share of its football team’s managerial staff and technical advisers, even after Washington cleared players to travel for the 2026 World Cup.
US officials said all players and “necessary support staff” received visas, but warned Iran would not be allowed to use the delegation to bring in people tied to the Islamic Revolutionary Guards.
Iran’s embassy in Turkey called the move politically biased interference in sport, labeled the US explanation a whitewash, and urged FIFA to intervene; state-linked media said the federation chief and his deputy were among those refused entry.
The squad left its Turkey training base for Mexico, where it will stay before opening against Belgium in Los Angeles on 15 June, with further group matches in California and Seattle.
The dispute hits the first World Cup co-hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico, and the first in which a host nation must receive a team from a country it is at war with.