Four members of Iran’s national football team staff have received U.S. visas following an appeal process ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but several officials — including Iran Football Federation President Mehdi Taj — remain barred from entering the United States.
The BBC reported on June 14 that four members of Iran’s support staff were granted visas, while 11 others continue to be denied entry into the United States.
Iran’s World Cup preparations were disrupted by the fallout from hostilities between the United States and Iran earlier this year.
The team had originally planned to establish its World Cup base camp in Tucson, Arizona, but later relocated it to Tijuana, Mexico, near the U.S. border.
Iran has been drawn into Group G alongside Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand, with all three of its group-stage matches scheduled to be played in the United States.
The arrangement requires the team to travel between Mexico and the United States during the tournament. However, U.S. authorities denied visa applications for 15 members of the Iranian delegation, including Taj, triggering controversy.
After completing a pre-tournament training camp in Turkey and arriving in Mexico, Iran’s delegation immediately reapplied for visas. Of the 15 individuals whose applications had initially been rejected, 10 submitted new applications.
Visas were subsequently granted to four individuals, including a staff member from the Iran Football Federation’s international affairs department and a performance analyst.
However, six others — including Taj and the team’s media officer — were again denied entry following the review process.
Iran is scheduled to open its World Cup campaign against New Zealand at Los Angeles Stadium in California at 10 a.m. local time on June 16.
