US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have stated there will be no further concerns about the Iranian teams’ travel ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
It was confirmed that the Iranian team will be allowed to enter the United States one day prior to each of their World Cup matches.
Concerns were raised after reports stated that Iranian players would have to enter the United States for their match and leave on the same day.
This was said based on comments by Iranian Ambassador to Mexico, Abolfazl Pasandideh who stated travel restrictions would impact game preparations and on-field performance.
Read more: Iran’s World Cup preparations advance after Mexico visa approval
A spokesperson from the DHS responded to the reports and stated that these reports were false.
According to him, the Iranian team was to be given travel permissions to enter the US one day prior to their match. The reports of them only allowed to enter the US on the day of the match were deemed untrue.
In speaking to reporters in Tijuana, Mexico, where the Iranian team is currently training, Ambassador Pasandideh stated the players and staff of the team were given visas, and there were no conditions for an immediate departure.
It was noted by him that the players who received the visas will be allowed to stay overnight without any restrictions.
For the past few months, it was uncertain if Iran would be participating in the World Cup due to travel restrictions.
10 days prior to the first match, the team was granted travel permissions. However, some staff members were denied travel permissions.
According to Iran’s football federation and embassy officials, those refused visas include the team manager, two analysts, the media director, and a representative of Iran’s Foreign Ministry.
Iranian officials have criticised the decision, saying it complicates preparations for the tournament.
Also read: Iran World Cup squad heads to Mexico as US visa dispute continues
