News Focus
- Iran’s squad receives clearance to enter United States for tournament
- Opening match against New Zealand scheduled for Los Angeles on 15 June
- Visa complications forced team to relocate training camp to Mexico
- US government bars entry to individuals linked to Revolutionary Guards
- FIFA World Cup 2026 kicks off across North America on 11 June
Iran’s national football team has finally received permission to enter the United States. Officials in Washington confirmed they have granted visas to the squad. This news comes only ten days before their first match at the World Cup.
The Iranian team will face New Zealand in Los Angeles on 15 June. A spokesperson stated that all necessary paperwork for players and support staff is now complete. However, they warned that the US will not permit misuse of the system.
Tensions exist between the two nations. The US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, stated that the government refuses entry to anyone connected with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards. This creates problems because several Iranian players completed their compulsory military service with this organisation.
Visa delays already disrupted Iran’s preparations. The team moved their training base from Arizona to Mexico last month. Federation president Mehdi Taj cited visa troubles as the reason for this change.
Some problems remain. Reports from Friday indicated that certain technical and administrative personnel still lack visas. The Iranian Football Federation has not made any public statement about the recent approvals.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 begins on 11 June. Three countries will host the tournament: the United States, Canada, and Mexico. This marks the first time in history that a host nation will welcome a team from a country it considers an enemy during wartime.