WASHINGTON, USA: In a last-minute diplomatic breakthrough, Iran’s World Cup-bound footballers have been granted US visas to enter the country for the upcoming FIFA World Cup, a White House official told on Friday, resolving a tense standoff that had threatened to derail Iran’s participation in the tournament being hosted on American soil.
The development came just hours after Iran’s ambassador to Mexico, Abolfazl Pasandideh, said late Thursday that the squad had still not received their visas. Those approvals were granted overnight, the White House official confirmed to Reuters, clearing the way for Iran’s arrival just 10 days before their opening match in Los Angeles.
White House officially grants visas to Iran’s World Cup players to enter the U.S. pic.twitter.com/Qtgxd6E3RF
— FIFA World Cup HQ (@FIFAWCHQ) June 5, 2026
Last-minute base move to Mexico
Due to the prolonged visa uncertainty and a growing sentiment within Iran that the squad’s presence in the United States should be kept to a minimum, Iran negotiated a last-minute shift of the team’s base from Arizona to Tijuana, Mexico. The squad is scheduled to land in Tijuana early Sunday morning.
Group G fixtures
Iran are slated to play all three of their Group G matches in the United States:
- June 15– vs New Zealand in Los Angeles
- June 19– vs Belgium in Los Angeles
- June 24– vs Egypt in Seattle
A World Cup shadowed by war
The Iran conflict has transformed what should be a celebration of global sport into a geopolitical battleground, with both nations appearing to use the tournament for political posturing. This marks the first World Cup since its inception in 1930 in which a host nation is set to receive a country it is actively at war with.
While the US has never formally stated it objects to the Iran team staying on its territory, the diplomatic tensions remain high. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told lawmakers on Tuesday that the United States would not permit Iran to include in its World Cup delegation any individuals linked to the Revolutionary Guards, a powerful branch of the Iranian armed forces.
FIFA shares details on landmark Club Benefits Programme for FIFA World Cup 2026™
➡️FIFA World Cup™ qualifiers included in the programme for first time
➡️With a substantially higher number of clubs expected to receive funding than in previous editions, the FIFA World Cup 2026… pic.twitter.com/3sd9BaNykC
— FIFA Media (@fifamedia) June 5, 2026
That restriction could potentially apply to several players in the Iran squad who have completed mandatory military service with the group, though the visa approvals suggest the players themselves have been cleared.
The episode underscores the extraordinary intersection of sport and international politics, as the United States prepares to host a nation it is at war with, a situation without precedent in the 94-year history of the World Cup.
