Iran Reports Unresolved US Visa Issues Ahead of 2026 World Cup
Mehdi Taj, president of the Iranian Football Federation, announced that Iran's national team delegation has not yet received the necessary visas to travel to the United States for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This development adds uncertainty to Iran's participation in the tournament, scheduled from June 11 to July 19, amidst heightened geopolitical tensions following recent conflicts in the Middle East involving US and Israeli actions against Iran. Taj emphasized the need for guarantees from FIFA during an upcoming crucial meeting, stating that visa issuance remains unresolved. Players are required to travel to Ankara, Turkey, for fingerprinting as part of the application process. Despite FIFA President Gianni Infantino's confirmation that Iran will compete in the US as per the draw, Iranian officials warn that failure to ensure entry without discrimination could compromise the World Cup's credibility. The team, set to be based in Tucson, Arizona, faces group stage matches against New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt. Diplomatic relations between Tehran and Washington have been severed since 1980, complicating logistical arrangements for the sporting event.
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Iran Reports Unresolved US Visa Issues Ahead of 2026 World Cup
Mehdi Taj, president of the Iranian Football Federation, announced that Iran's national team delegation has not yet received the necessary visas to travel to the United States for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This development adds uncertainty to Iran's participation in the tournament, scheduled from June 11 to July 19, amidst heightened geopolitical tensions following recent conflicts in the Middle East involving US and Israeli actions against Iran. Taj emphasized the need for guarantees from FIFA during an upcoming crucial meeting, stating that visa issuance remains unresolved. Players are required to travel to Ankara, Turkey, for fingerprinting as part of the application process. Despite FIFA President Gianni Infantino's confirmation that Iran will compete in the US as per the draw, Iranian officials warn that failure to ensure entry without discrimination could compromise the World Cup's credibility. The team, set to be based in Tucson, Arizona, faces group stage matches against New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt. Diplomatic relations between Tehran and Washington have been severed since 1980, complicating logistical arrangements for the sporting event.