Players say US visa problems and forced cross-border travel have left them exhausted during the tournament
Iranian players and coaching staff have accused World Cup organizers of forcing them to compete under unfair conditions, as US visa problems and travel restrictions continue to disrupt the team’s campaign.
The 2026 World Cup is being co-hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico, with most matches taking place in the US. The Iranian team, however, has had to base itself in Tijuana, Mexico after abandoning plans for a training camp in Arizona amid visa and security concerns.
Iran drew 2-2 with New Zealand in Los Angeles on Monday, but the result was overshadowed by complaints over travel, immigration delays and recovery time. Winger Mehdi Torabi’s US visa also reportedly expired after the match because he was only issued a single-entry document for the tournament.
Team сaptain Mehdi Taremi said the Iranian team had wanted to arrive in Los Angeles two days before the game and remain overnight afterward to recover, but was not allowed to do so.
Instead, he said, the squad had to spend five hours travelling from Tijuana, undergo lengthy immigration checks, train while fatigued, play the match, and leave immediately afterward.
“Everything is like a disaster, actually, for us,” Taremi said.
Head coach Amir Ghalenoei also called Iran “the most oppressed” team at the tournament.
The remarks follow earlier complaints from Tehran that World Cup organizers had withdrawn Iran’s official ticket allocation days before the tournament, leaving the federation unable to provide seats to fans who had already made travel plans. A number of Iranian support staff and media representatives have also been denied US visas.
The disputes come as Washington and Tehran are preparing to formalize a peace roadmap after months of conflict, which had already cast uncertainty over Iran’s participation in the tournament. Earlier this year, Iranian officials raised the possibility of skipping the World Cup.
Iran are scheduled to face Belgium in Los Angeles on June 21 before playing Egypt in Seattle on June 26.
Iran’s World Cup visa issues add to a growing list of controversies linked to US entry rules. A Somali referee selected for the tournament was also denied entry despite reportedly holding valid paperwork, while players, staff, and supporters from several countries have faced lengthy checks, visa delays or outright refusals.
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Uruguay’s national team was also subjected to drug-sniffing dogs, metal detectors and uniformed inspections on arrival, prompting accusations online that World Cup teams were being treated more like criminal suspects than visiting athletes.
FIFA has also faced broader anger over the tournament itself, including soaring ticket prices, costly stadium concessions, and mandatory hydration breaks that critics say look more like advertising windows than player-safety measures.
