U.S. issues visas to Iranian World Cup players but blocks some staff

U.S. officials said visas had been issued to Iranian players and necessary support staff on Friday, 10 days before Iran's opening match in Los Angeles on 15 June. The same statement said Iran would not be allowed to use the visas to bring in individuals linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guards.

Iranian officials said a large portion of the team's managerial, executive, and technical staff were denied entry. Iran's embassy in Turkey called the U.S. decision politically biased interference in sport and described the announcement as a whitewash.

Iranian state-linked media reported that the head of Iran's football federation and his deputy were among those denied visas.

Background The 2026 World Cup is jointly hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico and begins on 11 June. Iran qualified by finishing top of its group in March 2025. Iran moved its training base from Tucson, Arizona, to Mexico in late May. Iran is scheduled to play Belgium in California and Egypt in Seattle in addition to its opening match.

Earlier this week, U.S. officials told lawmakers that individuals linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guards would not be allowed in the delegation. Iranian embassy officials called on FIFA to intervene.