Iran Faces Visa Issues Ahead of 2026 World Cup Group Stage Matches

The Iranian ambassador to Mexico, Abu al-Fadl Basandideh, stated that the national team has not yet obtained entry visas, which is hindering their preparation plans and preventing normal training ahead of the tournament.

During a press conference, the ambassador explained that Iran does not feel it is "competing on equal footing" with other teams, citing organizational difficulties that have affected their training schedule. He also noted that the team relocated its training camp to Tijuana instead of Tucson, Arizona.

He added that U.S. authorities have not fulfilled the requested facilitation measures to host the team, despite the Iranian Football Federation previously asking FIFA to move the camp location to Mexico to avoid complications.

In the same context, the ambassador mentioned that the players remain uncertain about receiving their visas, increasing the uncertainty ahead of the tournament.

The Iranian team is scheduled to play its group stage matches on the U.S. West Coast, facing New Zealand in Los Angeles, then Belgium, and concluding against an unnamed opponent in Seattle.

These developments come as the team approaches a critical phase of preparation, amid concerns about the impact of external circumstances on their technical readiness before the World Cup.