Iran’s national football team arrived in Mexico on Sunday, amidst significant diplomatic tension following the U.S. government’s refusal to grant visas to certain members of the support staff ahead of the 2026 World Cup. This controversy has marred their preparations for the tournament, which will kick off this Thursday, collectively hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
Concerns from the Coach
Head coach Amir Ghalenoei expressed his disappointment upon landing at Tijuana airport, noting that the team’s arrival was delayed by a week. Ghalenoei emphasized the importance of acclimatization, especially given the stark 12-hour time difference. He stated, “Before technical matters, ethical and human considerations must be respected,” lamenting that this value did not seem to be upheld in their case. His frustrations were compounded by the tight security measures that surrounded their arrival, which included the presence of Mexican national guard troops and only a handful of fans to greet the team.
Visa Issues and Diplomatic Tensions
Iran’s players and coaching staff had spent nearly three weeks in a training camp in Turkey, where they worked on obtaining visas for entry into the United States. Just before their departure, they finally received their U.S. visas; however, the same could not be said for certain support staff, with reports indicating that 15 administrative members were denied entry. An Iranian diplomat referred to this situation as “deliberate and discriminatory treatment against Iran’s national football team,” urging FIFA to hold the U.S. accountable for the alleged violations.
Team captain Ehsan Hajsafi also voiced his grievances, questioning the timeliness of the visa processing. He highlighted the emotional toll that recent conflicts in their homeland had taken on the team, adding, “In the last year, we experienced two imposed wars in our country.” Hajsafi, however, remains optimistic about the team’s chances, asserting that they are “100% ready” and capable of progressing from the group stage.
Stringent Visa Conditions
Adding to the complexity, Iran’s ambassador to Mexico revealed that under the conditions of their visas, the team is required to enter and exit the United States on the same day as their matches. This contradicts previous statements from team spokesman Amir Mahdi Alavi, who asserted that the visas issued were multiple-entry and would allow the team to arrive a day prior to each game.
As the tournament approaches, the Iran football federation criticized the denial of visas as an example of “political interference in sport in its worst form.” While a U.S. administration official did not address the specific visa denials, they stated that they would not permit the Iranian team to exploit the system to facilitate the entry of potential threats into the country.
In the face of these challenges, the Iranian squad appears to be focused on their upcoming matches. With games scheduled against New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt in Group G, they aim to utilize their time in Tijuana for training and preparation ahead of their debut, reflecting both their determination and the tumultuous backdrop of their journey to the World Cup.