Iran Submits Passports to U.S. Embassy for World Cup Visas, Expects Approval

Iran’s national football team submitted its passports to the United States embassy in Turkiye on Friday for visas required to enter the United States for the 2026 World Cup. Mehdi Taj, head of the Iranian football federation, said the team followed instructions from FIFA to deliver the documents to the embassy in Ankara.

He stated that he held discussions with FIFA on Thursday regarding the visas.

The squad is scheduled to depart Turkiye for Spain on Saturday before continuing to its base camp in Tijuana, Mexico. Mexico has already issued visas to the Iranian players and staff. Taj said the federation raised concerns with FIFA about potential visa denials for players, technical staff, and other delegation members.

He told FIFA that if visas were not granted, Iran might make other decisions. Taj added that he expected all visas to be issued without issue. The team needs the passports returned by Saturday at the latest to travel onward to Tijuana.

Iran relocated its World Cup training base from Tucson, Arizona, to Tijuana after the initial plan was changed. All three of its group-stage matches will take place in the United States. The team opens against New Zealand on 15 June in Los Angeles, faces Belgium on 21 June in Los Angeles, and plays Egypt on 27 June in Seattle.

On Thursday, Iran defeated Mali 2-0 in its final pre-tournament friendly match.