Iran will compete in the 2026 FIFA World Cup with all three of its group-stage matches scheduled in the United States [1].
The situation highlights the tension between international sports diplomacy and geopolitical restrictions, as the Iranian delegation faces significant travel hurdles while attempting to participate in the global tournament.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said on March 31 that Iran will play its matches in the U.S. as scheduled [2]. However, the road to the tournament has been marked by diplomatic friction. The Iranian federation has alleged political interference by the U.S. government after 15 Iranian officials were denied visas to enter the country [1].
In response to these denials, Mahdi Taj, President of the Iranian Football Federation, sought guarantees regarding the treatment of the delegation. On May 6, Taj said, "We demand guarantees that our delegation will not be mistreated in the United States" [3]. The federation also requested changes to the match venues to avoid the U.S. entirely, though those requests were not granted.
Despite the disputes involving officials, a White House official said to Al-Awsaṭ that Iranian players have received the necessary visas to enter the U.S. [4]. This distinction suggests a tiered approach to entry, allowing the athletes to compete while restricting administrative and political staff.
To prepare for the tournament, the Iranian delegation utilized a transit point in Mexico before moving to Turkey for a pre-World Cup training camp [5]. The team is now moving toward the final stages of their journey to the U.S. venues for the June matches [1].
FIFA and U.S. authorities have said that the tournament schedule will remain unchanged regardless of the ongoing visa disputes [2].
“Iran will play its World Cup matches in the United States as scheduled.”
The decision to allow players while denying visas to 15 officials demonstrates the U.S. government's attempt to balance its commitment to hosting a global sporting event with its strict diplomatic and security policies toward Iran. By ensuring the athletes can play, FIFA avoids a high-profile withdrawal that would disrupt the tournament's integrity, even as the political rift between Washington and Tehran remains unresolved.
