Iran Granted US Visas for World Cup

June 6, 2026

An Iranian shopkeeper shows Iran's national football jersey in his shop in Tehran on May 8, 2026. Iran's national team, also known as TeamMelli, open their 2026 World Cup campaign, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada, against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15 before lining up against Belgium and Egypt in Group G. Iran has been at war with the United States and Israel since February 28, though a fragile ceasefire has been in place since April 8. Tehran and Washington have had no diplomatic relations since 1980 following the hostage crisis at the US embassy, which came after the Islamic revolution that toppled the US-backed shah. (Photo by AFP)

Iran’s national football team has officially been granted visas to enter the United States ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, US Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack confirmed on Friday.

A separate statement from a US administration official, issued through the State Department, corroborated the visa approvals.

The issuance ensures Iran will participate in the global tournament despite ongoing tensions between the Middle Eastern nation, the United States, and Israel, though a fragile truce has recently been maintained.

“Proud of our outstanding team at the U.S. Embassy in Ankara for their work processing visas for Iran’s national football team on their road to the @FIFAWorldCup in the United States,” Barrack said. He added, “Sports transcends borders, and we look forward to welcoming competitors and fans from around the world.”

Iranians walk past a replica of the World Cup trophy in a sporting goods retailer in Tehran on May 8, 2026. Iran’s national team, also known as TeamMelli, open their 2026 World Cup campaign, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada, against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15 before lining up against Belgium and Egypt in Group G. (Photo by AFP)

The unnamed administration official stressed that the visas are not a loophole for security risks. “We will not allow the Iranian team to abuse this system to sneak terrorists into the United States under false pretenses,” the official stated.

Iran’s squad is scheduled to fly from Turkey to Spain on Saturday before heading to their tournament base camp in Mexico, where they will arrive on Sunday. While their camp will be in Mexico, all three of their group stage matches will take place in the United States.

Originally intended to be based in the US, the team relocated to Mexico due to heightened political tensions following the US and Israeli attacks on Iran that began on February 28.

Iran’s World Cup campaign kicks off against New Zealand on June 16 in Los Angeles, followed by matches against Belgium in Los Angeles and Egypt in Seattle.

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Tope Oke

Temitope is a storyteller driven by a passion for the intricate world of geopolitics, the raw beauty of wildlife, and the dynamic spirit of sports. As both a writer and editor, he excels at crafting insightful and impactful narratives that not only inform but also inspire and advocate for positive change. Through his work, he aims to shed light on complex issues, celebrate diverse perspectives, and encourage readers to engage with the world around them in a more meaningful way.