The United States government is evaluating the possibility of relaxing entry and stay rules for Iran’s national team during the 2026 World Cup. This reconsideration especially affects the team’s third match, scheduled against Egypt. Currently, Iranian athletes, whose visas were granted under strict conditions, can only land on American soil 24 hours before each match and must leave the country immediately after the game ends. This scenario creates a significant logistical and diplomatic challenge, since the team, based in Mexico, disputes all of its commitments in the first phase of Group G within North American territory.
Iranian delegation faces complications leaving the United States after the first match
After the recent draw with New Zealand, which took place in Los Angeles, the Iranian team is scheduled to return to the same metropolis this Sunday, at 4 pm, Brasília time, to face the Belgian team. Previously, in March, there was an official request from the Iran team to hold their entire World Cup group stage in Mexico, a request that did not receive approval.
Iran team moved training base to the city of Tijuana, Mexico
Severe restrictions imposed by US authorities led coach Amir Ghalenoei to publicly declare that Iran felt like the “most oppressed” team in the entire competition. Given the situation, the team formalized a complaint with the International Football Federation (FIFA).
In an official statement released on Friday, the Iranian Football Federation expressed its concerns: “We believe that such restrictions are incongruous with the principles of equal conditions that must be offered to all participating teams and could seriously compromise our technical preparation.”
Andrew Giuliani, who serves as director of the White House task force responsible for the World Cup, indicated in an interview with the British newspaper “The Telegraph” that the government would be receptive to reevaluating the entry conditions for the Iranian team in the United States. Giuliani confirmed the existence of ongoing “discussions”, focused on the Iran national team’s travel schedule for their third group stage match, scheduled for June 27 in Seattle, where they will face Egypt.