When Visas Take the Lead: Iran's World Cup 2026 Dilemma
14 December 2025
Visa row clouds Iran's World Cup 2026 hopes
Iran has sharply criticized the United States over delays in issuing visas to Iranian players, officials, and fans ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
Baghaei said that while our football community has every right to participate without barriers, the United States has so far violated its commitments on this matter.
Baghaei added that Iran has filed an official protest with FIFA and with the American Interests Section at the Swiss Embassy in Tehran.
He urged Washington to stop politicizing sport entirely and we expect FIFA officials to honor their commitments, he said.
There are growing fears inside Iran that the United States may block visas for many officials and fans during the tournament.
The visa status of Mehdi Tarami, Iran's star striker, remains unclear after he posted messages of support for Palestine on social media.
Iran is among those countries singled out by the Trump administration for restrictions on entry, though there are sport specific exemptions for athletes and officials in World Cup competition and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
The United States had already denied visas to Mehdi Taj, head of the Iranian Football Federation, and at least six other officials for the World Cup draw in Washington.
In response, Iran briefly boycotted the draw but later attended, with Amir Qaleh Noui, the national team coach, alongside two federation officials at the December 5 event in Washington.
Iran will face Belgium, Egypt, and New Zealand, and there is optimism the team can reach the knockout stage for the first time in its World Cup history.
This will be Iran's seventh World Cup appearance, following campaigns in 1978, 1998, 2006, 2014, 2018 and 2022.
Punchline: If visas were a goalkeeper, they'd save a lot of shots—yet still miss the ball.
Punchline: In this drama, patience is the real star; Iran may stage a comeback, but bureaucracy scores first.
