Iran's World Cup squad arrives in Mexico amid US visa dispute for support staff

Iran's World Cup squad has arrived in Tijuana, Mexico, after the US, a tournament co-host, denied visas to 15 support staff, including the federation chief. US officials cited security concerns over potential links to the IRGC, while Iran decries "political interference." The team, which will be based in Mexico despite playing all games in the US, is appealing to FIFA amid the diplomatic row.

Iran squad Mexico arrival

• ▪Iran's World Cup squad arrived in Tijuana, Mexico on Sunday, June 7, 2026, after flying from a training camp in Turkey
• ▪Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum offered to host the Iranian team in May 2026
• ▪Iran's Group G matches are against New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles, and Egypt in Seattle
• ▪The team will be based in Tijuana for the tournament, despite playing all three of their group-stage games in the United States

US visa denials

• ▪Several players in the Iranian squad have completed mandatory military service with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)
• ▪The US government denied visas to some of Iran's support staff, including approximately 15 administrative and management officials
• ▪US Secretary of State Marco Rubio previously stated that individuals with links to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) would not be allowed to enter the country
• ▪A US administration official stated that the US would not allow Iran to "abuse this system to sneak terrorists into the United States under false pretenses."
• ▪Among those denied visas were Iranian Football Federation president Mehdi Taj and other key staff like the secretary-general and media director
• ▪The Iranian players and some coaching staff received their US visas on the eve of their departure from Turkey
• ▪Iranian officials have accused the US of "political interference in sport" and "deliberate and discriminatory treatment."

Antalya training camp

• ▪In March 2026, the team traveled from Tehran to their initial camp in Antalya via a 40-hour bus journey
• ▪Due to the suspension of Iran's domestic league during the war, the 17 home-based players in the squad have been in camps since March 2026
• ▪The Iranian team spent nearly three weeks at a training camp in Antalya, Turkey, where they applied for visas for the World Cup host nations

Team unity efforts

• ▪Senior players, including Alireza Jahanbakhsh, are actively working to maintain team cohesion amid the political situation
• ▪In March 2026, players held up schoolbags in what an official called a symbolic protest over the killing of schoolgirls during the conflict
• ▪Coach Amir Ghalenoei showed the team a documentary about Iraq's unified 2007 Asian Cup victory as inspiration

FIFA diplomatic meetings

• ▪FIFA President Gianni Infantino visited the team in Turkey in March 2026, a visit an Iranian official described as providing "positive energy."
• ▪FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafstrom met with Iranian federation president Mehdi Taj in Istanbul on May 16, 2026, to discuss tournament logistics
• ▪Team captain Ehsan Hajsafi and coach Amir Ghalenoei publicly criticized the visa delays and treatment, directing complaints toward FIFA