Four members of Iran’s World Cup delegation have successfully appealed against US visa rejections – but 11 others remain barred from entering the country for the team’s matches, deepening a diplomatic dispute on the eve of the tournament.
The breakthrough came after Tehran accused Washington of denying visas to “integral” members of the national football team’s backroom staff, despite players being granted permission to travel. Of the 15 Iranian officials initially refused entry, 10 submitted fresh applications after arriving in Mexico, where the squad relocated its base over concerns stemming from Iran being at war with the United States.
“Four Iran World Cup staff win US visa appeals, but 11 remain banned as Tehran accuses US of blocking 'integral' team members.”
Those granted visas include a member of the technical staff working as an analyst and two officials from the federation’s international department – a third unnamed individual also succeeded in the appeal. But the remaining six reapplicants were again rejected: Iran Football Federation (FFIRI) president Mehdi Taj, one of the federation’s vice‑presidents, two team administrators responsible for day‑to‑day operations, a media officer and a security officer. A second media officer chose not to reapply after the initial rejection.
The visa crisis erupted after the FFIRI presented Fifa with a list of 10 conditions for Iran’s participation in the World Cup, including allowing players, coaches and officials who completed military service with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). US secretary of state Marco Rubio had said Iran’s players would be welcome but individuals with links to the IRGC could face entry restrictions. Iran was not represented at Fifa’s annual congress in Vancouver in April after officials were turned away at the Canadian border, with Canadian officials citing the same IRGC links.
The team’s group‑stage ticket allocation for supporters was also revoked by US officials this week, though Fifa insisted it is working to “maximise opportunities for Iranian supporters to attend matches”. Iran play New Zealand on 15 June in Los Angeles in their first game of the tournament, which is being co‑hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States. They return to the city to face Belgium on 21 June, before meeting Egypt in Seattle on 26 June.