Los Angeles, June 10, 2026 — Iran’s national football team has been granted permission to enter the United States one day before each of its FIFA World Cup 2026 matches, bringing relief amid uncertainty surrounding visa arrangements and travel restrictions.
The announcement came from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which rejected media reports suggesting that the Iranian team would be required to enter the United States on match days and leave immediately after each game.
Iran is currently training in Tijuana, Mexico, ahead of its World Cup campaign. Reports published over the weekend had raised concerns that strict travel requirements could force the team to commute on match days, potentially affecting player performance due to fatigue and logistical challenges.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, a DHS spokesperson denied those claims, saying, “These reports are not true. Thanks to the goodwill of President Donald Trump, the Iranian team will be allowed to enter the United States the day before their matches.”
Speaking to Reuters in Tijuana on Monday, Iranian Ambassador Pasandideh acknowledged that several officials from Iran’s Football Federation had not received visas. However, he noted that those who were granted visas faced no restrictions on overnight stays or the duration of their presence in the United States.
“There is nothing in their visas requiring them to leave the country within a specific time frame,” Pasandideh said.
Iran will begin its World Cup campaign against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15. The team will then face Belgium in the same city on June 21 before concluding the group stage against Egypt in Seattle on June 26.
The clarification from U.S. authorities removes a major source of uncertainty for the Iranian squad as it prepares for one of the world’s biggest sporting events.
