Iran’s national football team will be required to enter and leave the United States on the same day as its matches during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, according to Iranian officials, in a move that highlights the growing impact of geopolitics on international sport.
The restrictions come amid heightened tensions between the United States and Iran following months of regional conflict and diplomatic disputes. Iranian authorities say the team has been informed that players will only be permitted to enter U.S. territory on the day of their scheduled matches and must leave immediately after the games conclude.
As a result, Iran has abandoned plans to establish its World Cup training base in Tucson, Arizona, and has instead relocated its camp to Tijuana, Mexico. The Mexican city will serve as the team’s operational headquarters throughout the tournament.
Iran’s ambassador to Mexico, Abolfazl Pasandideh, said the restrictions mean the squad will have to travel from Mexico to the United States for each match and return immediately afterward. He described the arrangement as an extraordinary logistical challenge that no other participating team is facing.
The situation has been further complicated by visa issues affecting several members of Iran’s football delegation. While U.S. authorities have granted entry visas to players, coaches and essential support personnel, a number of senior federation officials and staff members are still awaiting approval. Iranian football authorities have criticized the delays and indicated that the matter may be raised with FIFA.
According to U.S. officials, visas have been issued to those required for competition purposes, while some applications were denied on security grounds. Washington has maintained that the measures are necessary to prevent misuse of the visa system amid ongoing security concerns.
Iran will play all three of its Group G matches in the United States, including fixtures in Los Angeles and Seattle. The team is scheduled to open its campaign against New Zealand before facing Belgium and Egypt in the group stage.
The unusual travel requirements are expected to place additional physical and logistical burdens on the Iranian squad, which will need to make repeated cross-border trips throughout the tournament. Football analysts have warned that such arrangements could affect preparation, recovery and pre-match activities, including training sessions and media commitments.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada, is set to begin on June 11. While Iran’s participation has now been secured through the issuance of player visas, the controversy surrounding travel restrictions and staff approvals has added a significant political dimension to the country’s World Cup campaign.
