Image credit: Getty Images. By Pooria Jafereh. BBC Persian Sport. Le 13 juin 2026. Four members of Iran’s World Cup delegation have successfully appealed after their US visa applications were rejected. However, 11 others from the group will still be barred from traveling to the United States for their team’s matches. Last week, Iran accused the US of refusing visas to key members of the national football team’s support staff, shortly after Washington officials stated that Iranian players had been cleared to enter the country for the tournament. Due to tensions arising from the two nations’ conflict, Iran has already relocated its World Cup base to Mexico. Out of the 15 delegation members originally denied visas, 63 resubmitted applications upon reaching Mexico, and four of those appeals have now been approved. The visa recipients include a technical staff member serving as an analyst and two officials from the federation’s international department. The other six applicants were once again turned down. Iran Football Federation (FFIRI) president Mehdi Taj is among those affected, along with one of the federation’s vice-presidents, two team administrators, a media officer and a security officer. A second media officer decided not to reapply for a visa following the initial refusal.
Iran open their tournament against New Zealand on 15 June in Los Angeles. They return to the same city to play Belgium on 21 June before facing Egypt in Seattle on 26 June. The tournament is being co-hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States.
US officials revoked Iran’s allocated group-stage tickets for supporters earlier this week, although Fifa says it is working to “maximise opportunities for Iranian supporters to attend matches”.
The FFIRI had previously submitted a list of 10 conditions to Fifa for Iran’s participation, including permission for players, coaches and officials who have completed military service with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to enter the country.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that Iran’s players would be welcome at the tournament, but individuals linked to the IRGC could face entry restrictions.
Iran was not represented at Fifa’s annual congress in Vancouver in April after delegation members were refused entry at the Canadian border due to their IRGC connections.
Fifa imposes no limit on the size of a national team’s World Cup delegation, but it only covers costs for up to 50 people.
Why a super-sized and politicised World Cup comes at a cost. 5 days ago.
Content Source: Yahoo News
Image Credit: Getty Images
All rights to the news content and images belong to their respective copyright owners.