Iran national team head coach Amir Ghalenoei said U.S. travel rules and visa refusals are disrupting the team's preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
These restrictions impact the team's ability to move between their base camp in Mexico and match venues in the United States. Because the World Cup is a global event, disputes over diplomatic travel and immigration policies can jeopardize the competitive integrity of the tournament, and the wellbeing of athletes.
Speaking in Inglewood, California, on June 21, 2026 [2], Ghalenoei said the team is being treated unfairly by the United States. He said the Iranian Football Federation has lodged a formal complaint with FIFA regarding rejected visa applications and travel restrictions [3].
According to Ghalenoei, these hurdles have hampered the squad's ability to train and organize ahead of their second group-stage match against Belgium. "They robbed us of a chance to properly prepare," Ghalenoei said [4].
Specific disruptions include a denied request to fly to the United States just two days [1] before a scheduled match. The coach said he is optimistic that FIFA would intervene to resolve the situation, as the team continues to navigate the complexities of entering the country while maintaining a base in Mexico.
United States officials defended the travel regime, stating that the government was following established immigration policies [5]. However, Ghalenoei said the application of these policies has been unfair to the Iranian delegation.
"We are being treated unfairly by the United States," Ghalenoei said [6].
As the tournament progresses, the Iranian delegation continues to seek a resolution that allows for seamless movement between the two host nations to ensure the team can compete on equal footing with other participants.
“"They robbed us of a chance to properly prepare."”
This dispute highlights the tension between national security and immigration protocols and the international mandates of sporting bodies like FIFA. When a host nation's visa policies conflict with the operational needs of a participating team, it creates a diplomatic crisis that may force FIFA to either mediate between sovereign governments or reconsider the logistics of multi-country hosting arrangements.
