Iran Reaches U.S. World Cup With 11 Staff Still Denied Visas
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jun 15
Iran Reaches U.S. World Cup With 11 Staff Still Denied Visas
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jun 15
Summary
Los Angeles welcomed Iran’s squad ahead of Monday’s opener against New Zealand, but striker Mehdi Taremi said the team arrived feeling “tension” rather than the usual World Cup “joy.”
Eleven members of Iran’s delegation still cannot enter the U.S., and coach Amir Ghalenoei said the late shift of the training base from Tucson to Tijuana hurt the team’s technical focus.
FIFA is still trying to resolve the visa dispute before Iran’s second match, with the team manager, media manager and executive director among those missing from the group.
Politics around Iran’s campaign remain visible: some fans plan anti-regime protests, a court fight is underway over displaying Iran’s pre-revolutionary flag, and Ghalenoei said the team would focus only on playing.
Are visa denials and protests turning the World Cup into a new front for US-Iran political conflict?
With a lawsuit filed, can FIFA legally defend its selective ban on 'political' flags on US soil?
The 2026 World Cup’s Most Controversial Team: Iran’s Battle With War, Security, and Identity on U.S. Soil
Overview
The Iranian national soccer team’s arrival at the 2026 World Cup is marked by extraordinary challenges due to the ongoing U.S.-Iran war. Because of U.S. visa restrictions, the team is based in Tijuana, Mexico, and must cross the border daily for matches in the United States, making their schedule unusually complex. Although they have received permits to participate, unresolved visa issues for key support staff add to their operational difficulties. These logistical hurdles, combined with heightened safety concerns, have transformed Iran’s World Cup journey into a uniquely difficult and tense experience on foreign soil.