Iranian Players May Be Forced to Fly In and Out on Matchdays During 2026 World Cup
The logistical challenges surrounding the 2026 FIFA World Cup continue to impact Iran's preparations, with new reports suggesting that members of the national team could face strict limitations on their time inside the United States during the tournament.
According to reports citing Iranian Ambassador to Mexico, Abolfazl Pasandideh, Iranian players may only be permitted to enter the United States on the morning of their matches and will be required to leave shortly after fulfilling their match-related obligations.
The arrangement would force Iran's squad to travel back and forth between countries within a matter of hours, creating a unique challenge as the team prepares for football's biggest competition.
Speaking to reporters in Tijuana, the ambassador also revealed that 15 officials from the Iranian Football Federation have yet to receive U.S. visas ahead of the tournament, which is scheduled to begin next week.
Despite the ongoing complications, Iranian authorities remain optimistic that the issue will be resolved before the team's opening World Cup fixture against New Zealand national football team on June 15.
Key Officials Still Awaiting Visas
Iranian media reports indicate that Mehdi Taj, president of the Iranian Football Federation, and the national team's logistics director are among the officials who have not yet secured the necessary travel documents.
In contrast, all members of the Iranian delegation have successfully obtained visas for Mexico, where the team has established its training base.
The situation has attracted significant attention given the political tensions between Iran and the United States, which raised concerns about Iran's ability to participate in the tournament without administrative obstacles.
Training Camp Moved to Mexico
In May, the Iranian Football Federation announced that the national team's training camp would be relocated from Arizona to Tijuana, Mexico, a city located just south of San Diego, California.
The move was designed to provide greater logistical flexibility while awaiting clarity regarding travel arrangements for World Cup matches in the United States.
Iran's 2026 World Cup Schedule
Iran will begin its World Cup campaign against New Zealand on June 15 before facing Belgium national football team on June 21. Both matches are scheduled to take place in Los Angeles.
The Asian side will then conclude the group stage with a high-profile clash against Egypt national football team on June 26 in Seattle.
With the tournament fast approaching, Iran now faces a race against time to resolve visa and travel concerns and ensure the team can focus entirely on its World Cup ambitions.
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