Iran’s participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup has come under uncertainty after the country’s football federation revealed that players are still awaiting United States visas less than a month before the tournament begins.
According to BBC Sport, Iran Football Federation president Mehdi Taj confirmed on Thursday that no visas had been issued to the national team, raising concerns over their ability to travel for the competition, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
“Tomorrow or the day after tomorrow, we will have a decisive meeting with FIFA. They must give us guarantees, because the visa issue has still not been resolved.
“We have not received any account from the other side regarding who has been granted visas. No visas have been issued yet,” Taj said.
Iran is expected to play its group-stage matches in the United States, including fixtures in Los Angeles and Seattle, while the team is reportedly due to camp in Tucson during the tournament.
The visa concerns come amid heightened diplomatic tensions between Tehran and Washington, as well as restrictions affecting entry approvals for some Iranian officials and individuals allegedly linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
Despite the uncertainty, Gianni Infantino has maintained that Iran will participate in the tournament.
“Of course, Iran will play in the United States of America,” Infantino said during a recent FIFA congress.
Iranian football authorities, however, have continued to seek firm assurances from FIFA regarding visa approvals and the treatment of their delegation.
The issue has emerged as one of the biggest off-field controversies ahead of football’s flagship global tournament, with Iran insisting it remains committed to competing while pushing for an urgent diplomatic resolution.