Iran told – Iran have been ordered to enter the United States and leave on the same day as their 2026 World Cup matches after visas were denied to a “large portion” of their coaching and executive staff. The Iranian federation says key officials were refused entry, while
When Iran’s World Cup squad arrives in the United States. it won’t be able to settle in for long. The country’s ambassador in Mexico says the team has been told it must enter and leave US soil within 24 hours—timed tightly to match days after visas were denied to “integral” members of the Iran coaching setup.
For Iran, the restriction cuts straight through the usual rhythm of tournament preparation. The group stage schedule puts their matches in Los Angeles and Seattle. Iran were previously due to stay in Tucson, Arizona, but the squad will now fly in for the games.
“We can enter in the morning and we must leave the same day,” Iran’s envoy Abolfazl Pasandideh told reporters from Mexico, where the team is based during the build-up.
US officials, though, say the players are covered. They say visas have been issued to all players and “necessary support staff” ahead of Iran’s World Cup opener on June 16. US officials also warned Iran would not be allowed to “abuse this system to sneak terrorists into the United States under false pretences.”.
The dispute deepened on the other side of the Atlantic. Iran’s embassy in Turkey said visas had been denied to “a large portion of the managerial and executive staff. ” and accused the Americans of “politically biased interference in sport.” The embassy repeated that visas were refused for a “large portion of the managerial and executive staff” and also for “technical advisers.”.
Iranian state media went further, claiming that the head of the football federation and his deputy were among those denied entry.
The World Cup timeline now sits under a cloud. Iran open their campaign against New Zealand in California on June 16, before facing Belgium and Egypt in California and Seattle, respectively.
The sequence is stark: US authorities say players and “necessary support staff” can enter for the tournament, while Iran says coaching and management figures have been singled out for refusal—leaving the squad to comply with a same-day entry and departure demand tied directly to the matches.
Iran United States World Cup 2026 visas coaching staff Abolfazl Pasandideh Los Angeles Seattle Tucson New Zealand Belgium Egypt