Iran's World Cup Squad Must Leave US Within 24 Hours After Trump Safety Alert

Iran's national football team has been ordered to enter and exit the United States on the same day for each of their three group stage matches during the 2026 World Cup, according to Iran's ambassador to Mexico.

This directive comes amid heightened tensions between Iran and the US linked to conflicts in the Middle East, resulting in a tightly controlled schedule for the Iranian squad's group games, all hosted on American soil. Ambassador Abolfazl Pasandideh stated to reporters, "We can enter in the morning and we must leave the same day."

The team's group stage begins in Los Angeles against New Zealand, followed six days later by a match against Belgium in California, and concludes with a game versus Egypt in Seattle. Should Iran advance, further matches would also be played in the US.

Originally planning to base themselves in Tucson, Arizona, the Iranian team has instead relocated to Mexico. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum affirmed, "We have no reason to deny them the possibility of staying in Mexico."

Sheinbaum added, "The United States does not want the Iranian team to stay overnight, but they are going to play three matches there. So they asked us: 'Can they stay overnight in Mexico?' And we said: 'Yes, no problem.' We have no problem."

Iran had previously sought to have their World Cup matches moved to Mexico, but FIFA rejected this request.

Former US President Donald Trump had expressed concerns over the Iranian team's safety in the US, remarking, "The Iran national soccer team is welcome to the World Cup, but I really don't believe it ⁠is appropriate that they be there, for their own life and safety."

Although the US has issued visas to Iran's players and some staff members, Iranian state media and officials report that several support personnel, including Iranian Football Federation chief Mehdi Taj, were denied visas.

A US State Department official confirmed, "The visas necessary for Iran to compete in the World Cup, including for athletes and necessary support staff, have been issued." The official further stated, "We will not allow the Iranian team to abuse this system to sneak terrorists into the United States under false pretences."