Iran World – Iran’s World Cup team has been granted U.S. visas, clearing the squad to leave its training base in Tijuana, Mexico, and travel to the United States for matches near Los Angeles. U.S. officials said visas were approved for players and issued for coaches, train
When Iran’s players arrived in Tijuana for training instead of Arizona, it was a sign the World Cup trip had turned into something bigger than soccer. On Friday, U.S. officials said the visa bottleneck had finally eased—members of Iran’s World Cup team were granted visas to enter the United States.
Two U.S. officials said visas were cleared after earlier problems with processing threatened the schedule. One official said all players on the Iranian team were approved for visas and were in the process of receiving them. A second official said visas had been issued for players, coaches, trainers and some support staff. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the visas publicly. The second official could not say if any Iranian applicants had been denied.
What happens next hinges on paperwork logistics. It was not immediately clear when the Iranian team’s passports would be returned so the players could travel, though the official said it could be as early as Friday or Saturday.
The visas come after a tense backdrop: Iran’s war with Israel and the United States complicated the country’s World Cup participation. The uncertainty had already forced Iran to shift its training base from Tucson, Arizona, to Tijuana, Mexico, on the California border, after visa processing issues.
Before the team could head north, the squad had been preparing at a training camp in Antalya, Turkey, then departing for Tijuana. The team said it has already received visas from Mexico’s embassy in Ankara.
U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack credited the U.S. Embassy in Ankara with processing visas for the Iranian team. In a social media post Friday, Barrack wrote: “Sports transcends borders, and we look forward to welcoming competitors and fans from around the world.”
On the field, Iran’s path starts quickly. Iran plays its first two games in Inglewood, California—against New Zealand on June 15 and against Belgium six days later. Then the team heads to Seattle to face Egypt on June 26. Iran and the United States could meet in the round of 32 on July 3 in Arlington. Texas. if both teams place second in their groups.
The visa reversal caps a dispute that began publicly before the World Cup even kicked off. President Donald Trump in March discouraged Iran from participating. saying he didn’t think it was “appropriate” and raising concerns over players’ “life and safety.” A day later. Iran’s national team pushed back. saying “no one can exclude” it from playing.
Behind the headlines, Iran’s roster decisions reflected the war’s reach. Iran finalized its team Monday, including 17 home-based players whose clubs have not played since February because of the war. Star forward Sardar Azmoun was dropped in March. reportedly because of a social media post that angered Iranian authorities during the war.
Iran’s leadership had also signaled resistance early on. In March. the republic’s sports minister said it would “not be possible” for the team to participate in the World Cup. But Iran’s soccer federation said in May it was moving ahead with a team. The federation insisted that all players and staff be granted visas. including those who had military service in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Now. with visas approved and issued and the team positioned to travel from its Tijuana base. the immediate question shifts from whether Iran can participate to when it can cross into the United States—and whether the delay. measured in paperwork and processing. will leave any lingering friction before kickoff.
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