Iran Reports No US Visas Issued for 2026 World Cup Team
Iran's Football Federation chief, Mehdi Taj, announced that no visas have yet been issued for the Iranian national team to participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States. Speaking to state media, Taj emphasized the urgency of the situation, noting a decisive meeting with FIFA is scheduled to secure necessary guarantees. The visa process remains unresolved, with players currently expected to travel to Ankara, Turkey, for fingerprinting, although efforts are underway to arrange this procedure in Antalya to simplify logistics. This development occurs against a backdrop of heightened geopolitical tension, as Iran and the United States have had no diplomatic relations since 1980. The report also notes a fragile ceasefire has been in place since April 2026 following conflicts involving Israel. Despite these diplomatic hurdles, Iran held a send-off ceremony for TeamMelli, which is scheduled to be based in Tucson, Arizona. The team is set to open its campaign against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15, followed by matches against Belgium and Egypt in Group G.
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