Iran Slams US Over World Cup Visa Snub for Top Football Officials
By Rita Onuoha
E-ISSN: 2354-4481
Iran has accused the United States of discriminatory treatment after several senior football officials and support staff were reportedly denied entry visas ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
While U.S. authorities approved visas for members of the Iranian national team, reports indicate that key delegation officials—including Football Federation President Mehdi Taj, executive personnel, and technical analysts—were refused permission to enter the country.
The development comes after U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that American authorities would closely scrutinize the Iranian delegation and prevent the entry of individuals suspected of having links to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
Reacting to the decision, the Iranian Embassy in Turkey condemned the visa denials, arguing that excluding essential administrative and technical staff would significantly disrupt the team's preparations and operations during the tournament.
Amid growing diplomatic tensions between the two nations, Iran has already relocated its World Cup training base from Arizona to Mexico as a precautionary measure.
Despite the off-field controversy, the Iranian national team remains focused on its campaign and is scheduled to begin its 2026 FIFA World Cup journey against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15.
