Iran’s Football Federation chief Mehdi Taj confirmed on Wednesday that no United States visas have been issued to any member of the Iranian national squad, just weeks before the country is due to compete at the 2026 Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) World Cup.
Taj told Iranian state media that federation officials would hold a decisive meeting with FIFA within days, demanding guarantees over the unresolved visa situation. He stated plainly: “No visas have been issued yet.”
The standoff reflects broader geopolitical tensions between Tehran and Washington that stretch well beyond football. Iran and the United States have maintained no formal diplomatic relations since 1980, following the Iranian Revolution and the subsequent hostage crisis. Those tensions have deepened further amid months of regional conflict that erupted on February 28, despite a fragile ceasefire reportedly established on April 8.
A logistical complication has also emerged within the visa process itself. Iranian players are currently required to travel to Ankara for mandatory fingerprinting, though Taj said officials are working to relocate that step to Antalya to reduce the burden on the squad.
The uncertainty hangs over a team that held a send-off ceremony on Wednesday ahead of what remains a scheduled tournament appearance. Iran, known as Team Melli, are set to base themselves in Tucson and open their Group G campaign against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15, before facing Belgium and Egypt. The tournament is co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada.
FIFA has not issued a public statement on the visa dispute.
