Iran’s national team for the World Cup arrived in Mexico amidst diplomatic tensions stemming from the United States’ refusal to grant visas to some of the team’s support staff. Coach Amir Ghalenoei expressed frustration upon landing in Tijuana, citing the challenges of adjusting to the time difference. He emphasized the importance of ethical treatment in such tournaments, questioning the lack of respect shown in this situation.
The disagreement emerged just before the 2026 World Cup kickoff, hosted jointly by the United States, Mexico, and Canada. The Iran squad, who left their training camp in Turkey a day earlier, arrived in Tijuana in the early hours of Sunday, greeted by minimal fan presence and tight security measures.
Despite playing their group stage matches in the US, including games in Los Angeles and Seattle against New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt, the Iranian team will be based in Tijuana throughout the tournament. This marks the first time a host nation receives a team from a country with which it is in conflict.
While expressing gratitude towards FIFA for assistance, Ghalenoei and team captain Ehsan Hajsafi voiced their discontent over the delayed US visas. Hajsafi highlighted the team’s readiness despite facing challenges in their home country. Player Alireza Jahanbakhsh conveyed optimism following a productive training camp in Turkey.
After a prolonged visa acquisition process, the players received US visas just before departing for Mexico, while the support staff faced visa denials. The Iranian embassy criticized the discriminatory treatment and sought FIFA’s intervention. Tensions escalated with conflicting reports on visa conditions for the team’s entry and exit from the US.
The Iranian Football Federation condemned the visa issue as political interference, while a US official cited security concerns. Speculations arose about potential ties of the support staff to designated terror groups, adding complexity to the situation. Amidst these challenges, the team’s arrival in Mexico marked a significant moment overshadowed by diplomatic strains and controversies surrounding the visa dispute.