Iran’s national football team will enter Mexico ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Sunday, but their efforts have been marred by a growing friction with the United States over their visa status.
The team left Turkey on Saturday, having stayed for a three-week training camp in Antalya, and is believed to be staying in the Mexican border city of Tijuana for the remainder of the tournament.
Originally, Iran intended to remain in Tucson, Arizona, but decided to relocate its base late last month as worries about travel arrangements spread.
The controversy escalated since the Iranian government had accused Washington of refusing visas to a number of the staff members from the team.
Read more: Iran’s World Cup preparations advance after Mexico visa approval
Around 15 administrative and management officials were denied visas, but players got the documents required to enter the United States, Iranian diplomats said, and this angered Tehran.
The Iranian embassy in Turkey, in a statement condemned the move as discriminatory and urged FIFA to act, claiming the decision infringed the principles of international sport.
The Iranian Football Federation, in a statement, also called the visa issue as an instance of political manipulation of football.
All visas for athletes and necessary support personnel have been issued, U.S. officials say.
Issues have also arisen regarding the conditions of Iran’s U.S. visas.
Iranian Ambassador to Mexico Abolfazl Pasandideh stated that the team was tasked to enter and exit the United States on the day of each match, but Amir Mahdi Alavi, team spokesman, said they had been given multiple entry visas to arrive earlier.
Iran, which will be in Group G, will play New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles before playing Egypt in Seattle.
Also read: White House says Iran football players issued US visas for FIFA World Cup
