Members of Iranian soccer staff wait to receive US visas ahead of 2026 FIFA World Cup, officials say

Iran's World Cup soccer players have obtained visas to enter the United States, a US official confirmed days before their opening match, although Iranian media reported on Saturday that some administrative staff members are still awaiting approval.

The White House official informed Reuters on Friday, ten days prior to Iran's match in Los Angeles, that the players had secured their visas. This came after Iran's ambassador to Mexico stated on Thursday that the documents had not yet been issued.

First World Cup with hosts receiving war adversary

Iran's semi-official news agency Tasnim indicated that those still without visas include Executive Director Mehdi Kharati, soccer federation secretary general Hedayat Mombini, and Media Director Mohsen Motamedkia.

Staff members lacking visas will accompany the team to Mexico while efforts to secure the documents continue, according to the agency.

Iran's football federation described the actions of co-host the United States as contrary to international sports regulations and announced plans to raise the issue with FIFA.

The federation stated that the US government had made a non-sporting and political decision to withhold visas from key managerial and administrative members of the Iranian national team.

The matter will be pursued through FIFA, which has a responsibility to ensure visas are finalized for the managerial, executive, technical, and support staff currently in camp.

FIFA was not available for immediate comment outside US business hours.

Geopolitical Contest

The United States, Mexico, and Canada are co-hosting the global event, which begins on Wednesday.

This marks the first World Cup since 1930 in which a host nation will welcome a country with which it is engaged in conflict.

Tehran arranged a last-minute relocation of the team's base from Arizona to Tijuana, Mexico, due to visa complications and a preference to minimize the squad's time on US soil.

The team is scheduled to arrive in Tijuana early on Sunday.

Iran will face New Zealand in their first Group G match on June 15 in Los Angeles, followed by encounters with Belgium and Egypt in Seattle.

Rubio says US to bar people linked to Revolutionary Guards

The US did not formally indicate opposition to the Iranian team's presence on its territory, according to Ambassador Pasandideh.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio informed lawmakers on Tuesday that the US would exclude individuals connected to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps from Iran's delegation.

Iran soccer federation president Mehdi Taj, a former Revolutionary Guards commander, was denied entry for the tournament draw in Washington in December.

Pasandideh noted that Iran's participation in the World Cup demonstrates its pursuit of peace despite the adversarial context.

Progress in peace talks between Iran and the US has advanced slowly, with both sides moving toward an interim agreement while military actions persist.