Iran says US must issue multiple-entry visas for its World Cup squad
Iran's football federation has said that the United States must issue multiple-entry visas to the country's national team players for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Al Jazeera reported. The request seeks flexibility for the squad to enter the US for warm-ups and tournament matches. No formal response has been issued by the US side.
Iran's football federation has said that multiple-entry visas would be needed for its players to enter the United States for warm-up and tournament matches ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. According to Al Jazeera, the federation underlined that the tense diplomatic atmosphere between the United States and Iran in recent months has been affecting the sports calendar. No formal statement has yet been issued by the US State Department.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be hosted jointly by the United States, Mexico and Canada. A significant share of Iran's group-stage matches is set to be played in Mexico; in some possible knockout scenarios travel to the United States may be required. FIFA said it continues to coordinate with host countries to solve visa and logistics issues for all participating national teams within international standards.
The head of Iran's football federation said channels of dialogue between the parties remain open. Last month, Iran decided to move its training base from the United States to Mexico. The information in this article relies on the source's reporting and the process will continue to be shaped by contacts between FIFA, federations and host governments.
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