Iran’s national football team has arrived in Mexico ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but visa problems continue to cast a shadow over its campaign.
The team flew into Tijuana, just south of the California border, after relocating their training base from Tucson, Arizona, following complications tied to the ongoing Iran war. Iran defender Ehsan Hajsafi publicly criticised FIFA on Sunday after confirming that several key members of Iran’s delegation remain without U.S. visas despite the tournament being just days away.
Key members of the delegation that remain blocked include the Iranian Football Federation’s secretary-general and vice president.
“First of all, we’re very happy that the team has finally arrived, and we’re delighted about that,” csaid. “Unfortunately, several key members of our coaching staff, whose roles are very important within the team, were not granted visas.”
Hajsafi called on FIFA to resolve the matter before the team’s opening fixture.
A US official told ABC News that all players had been approved but separately suggested some applicants affiliated with the team had been rejected for requesting visas under “false pretences”.
The issue comes against the backdrop of tensions surrounding Iran and increased security concerns from U.S. authorities. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said officials would closely monitor the delegation for anyone with links to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
“We have no problem with the athletes or their support staff. But what we’re not going to allow is for them to embed in their delegation people that we know have nothing to do with athletics and have ties to the IRGC,” Rubio said on Friday, ABC News reported.
Iran open their campaign against New Zealand on 15 June in Inglewood, California, followed by Belgium on 21 June and Egypt in Seattle on 26 June.
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