Iran’s sports ministry says FIFA has assured that the country’s national football team will be granted visas to enter the United States for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, easing uncertainty triggered by geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
The tournament, jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, is scheduled to kick off on June 11, 2026, with Iran expected to play all its group-stage matches in the US despite recent diplomatic strains.
Sports minister Ahmad Donyamali, quoted by Iranian state-linked media, said FIFA president Gianni Infantino had personally guaranteed that all Iranian players and officials would receive entry visas for the competition.
“The FIFA president promised us that all our players would receive visas. There is no reason why our players should not receive visas,” Donyamali was quoted as saying, adding that Iran expected the tournament to proceed in a calm and orderly manner.
Iran’s participation had come under scrutiny in recent months due to heightened tensions following military strikes involving the United States and Israel earlier in the year, which initially raised concerns about travel restrictions and security arrangements for Iranian athletes.
Despite those concerns, FIFA has maintained that all qualified nations will participate in the tournament as scheduled, with Iran placed in Group G alongside Belgium, Egypt, and New Zealand.
Under the current schedule, Iran will open its campaign against New Zealand on June 15 at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, before facing Belgium and Egypt in subsequent group matches across US venues in Los Angeles and Seattle.
The Iranian Football Federation has also confirmed that the team is preparing in Antalya, Turkey, ahead of the tournament, with several players recently traveling to the Iranian embassy in Ankara to begin visa processing procedures for travel into the United States.
Mexican authorities have also stepped into the arrangement, with reports indicating that Iran will be based in Tijuana during the tournament to ease logistical and diplomatic challenges linked to US entry requirements.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said the decision was made after discussions involving FIFA and both host nations, stressing that Mexico would support Iran’s participation in the global showpiece.
Iran’s sports ministry insists that, as a participating nation, the United States is obliged under FIFA regulations to grant entry visas to all players, coaching staff, and officials involved in the tournament.
Iran is expected to finalize its squad ahead of FIFA’s deadline in the coming weeks as preparations continue for the expanded 48-team World Cup.
