The U.S. has announced that the Iranian national soccer team will be allowed to enter the country the day before their matches in the 2026 North American World Cup.
According to Reuters on Wednesday, a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security stated that the claim that the Iranian team is being forced to enter and exit on match days is false. The spokesperson added that thanks to President Donald Trump’s consideration, the Iranian team will be permitted to arrive the day before their matches.
This statement officially refutes the earlier assertion made by Abolfazl Pasandideh, Iran’s ambassador to Mexico, who claimed that the Iranian team would have to enter the U.S. on game days and depart immediately after their matches.
While Ambassador Pasandideh criticized the U.S. for denying visas to some Iranian Football Association officials, he acknowledged that those who have received visas face no restrictions on their stay in the U.S.
He clarified that the visas do not include any conditions requiring departure from the U.S. by a specific time.
However, the Iranian Football Association reports that several key team personnel, including the manager, performance analyst, media director, and foreign ministry officials, are still awaiting visa approval.
The Iranian team had initially planned to train in Lizzona, California. However, following U.S. and Israeli military operations against Iran in February, they relocated their training camp to Tijuana, Mexico, near the U.S. border.
In the upcoming World Cup, Iran, placed in Group G, will begin their campaign against New Zealand on June 16, followed by matches against Belgium on June 22 and Egypt on June 27.