Iran's World Cup 2026 participation mired in controversy over U.S. visa restrictions, flag ban and spying allegations

Jun 7, 2026

Iran's 2026 World Cup participation is mired in controversy amid ongoing conflict with the U.S. The U.S. has denied visas to over a dozen Iranian team officials, citing ties to the IRGC, forcing the team to relocate its training camp to Mexico. Further disputes include a FIFA ban on the pre-revolutionary "Lion and Sun" flag, prompting legal threats, and allegations from an opposition group that Iran uses its soccer system for state spying.

Iran World Cup participation uncertainty

▪Iran's national team moved its World Cup training camp from Arizona to Tijuana, Mexico, at FIFA's suggestion.
▪The Iranian team faces a complex travel itinerary, commuting from its base in Mexico for its three group stage matches in Los Angeles and Seattle.
▪Iran's domestic soccer league was shut down following the outbreak of war with the U.S. and Israel on Feb. 28, disrupting team preparations.

U.S. visa restrictions for teams

▪The U.S. State Department said anyone affiliated with the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), a designated terrorist organization, will be denied a visa.
▪U.S. border restrictions also affected other tournament participants, with Somali referee Omar Artan and an Iraqi team photographer being denied entry.
▪The U.S. government denied visas to at least 14 members of Iran's support staff and football federation officials.
▪Mehdi Taj, president of Iran's football federation and an alleged former IRGC commander, was among those denied a U.S. visa.

Pre-revolutionary flag ban controversy

▪The threatened lawsuit argues that banning the pre-revolutionary flag while allowing the official flag of the Islamic Republic is "impermissible viewpoint discrimination" under U.S. law.
▪FIFA's official guidance for World Cup venues is to prohibit the pre-revolutionary Iranian "Lion and Sun" flag, deeming it "political."
▪The non-profit group Institute for Voices of Liberty has threatened to sue FIFA in California if the ban on the "Lion and Sun" flag is enforced.
▪The "Lion and Sun" flag, used by Iran before the 1979 Islamic Revolution, is now a symbol of protest against the current regime for many in the diaspora.

Spying and political interference allegations

▪The opposition group identified at least 15 IRGC commanders in management positions within Iranian soccer clubs and the federation.
▪A report from the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) alleges Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has used the country's soccer system to spy on citizens.
▪The NCRI has urged FIFA to expel Iran's soccer federation, arguing that state control violates FIFA's bylaws requiring political neutrality.
▪The NCRI report, citing alleged internal documents, claims facial-recognition cameras and ticketing linked to national IDs were used in stadiums to monitor fans.

FIFA's response and geopolitical role

▪FIFA has stated it is "not involved in host country immigration processes" and that visa decisions are ultimately up to the U.S. government.
▪FIFA President Gianni Infantino has publicly insisted that Iran will participate in the World Cup despite the political and logistical challenges.
▪Due to U.S. sanctions, FIFA is working on a solution for Iranian fans living outside Iran to buy tickets, as transactions involving residents of Iran are blocked.