Iran footballers granted US visas ahead of World Cup opener
4 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 6, 2026, 3:15 AM
Last updated Jun 6, 2026
Iran's national football team has been issued visas to enter the United States for the World Cup, according to a White House official. The visas come 10 days before Iran's Group G match against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15. A report indicates that some technical and administrative staff members are still awaiting their visas. The situation highlights ongoing tensions between the countries as Tehran shifted the team's base from Arizona to Tijuana to minimize their presence in the U.S. Iran aims to showcase its desire for peace through participation in the tournament amidst complicated geopolitical circumstances.
- •Iran's first match is against New Zealand on June 15.
- •The U.S. had not issued visas to some staff members.
- •Iran moved its base from Arizona to Tijuana due to visa issues.
- •Iran's diplomacy efforts are underscored by their World Cup participation.
- 3:15 AMYahoo Sports — Iran's football team granted visas to enter US for World Cup, officials say
- 3:14 AMBBC Sport — Iran's football team granted visas to enter US for World Cup, officials say
- 12:31 AMAssociated Press — Iran’s World Cup team approved for visas to play games in the US, officials say - AP News
- 8:49 PMYahoo Sports — Iran footballers issued US visas for World Cup, says White House
"Members of the Iranian World Cup soccer team have been granted U.S. visas, clearing them to enter the country ahead of their first two matches near Los Angeles this month. The team had moved its training base to Tijuana, Mexico, because of problems with proce…
"Iran players get visas 10 days before their opening World Cup match against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15.
"The approval comes just 10 days before the Iranian squad's opening match against New Zealand in Los Angeles.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsJun 6, 2026, 3:15 AMIran's football team granted visas to enter US for World Cup, officials say
The approval comes just 10 days before the Iranian squad's opening match against New Zealand in Los Angeles.
- BBC SportJun 6, 2026, 3:14 AMIran's football team granted visas to enter US for World Cup, officials say
The approval comes just 10 days before the Iranian squad's opening match against New Zealand in Los Angeles.
- Associated PressJun 6, 2026, 12:31 AMIran’s World Cup team approved for visas to play games in the US, officials say - AP News
Members of the Iranian World Cup soccer team have been granted U.S. visas, clearing them to enter the country ahead of their first two matches near Los Angeles this month. The team had moved its training base to Tijuana, Mexico, because of problems with proce…
- Yahoo SportsJun 5, 2026, 8:49 PMIran footballers issued US visas for World Cup, says White House
Iran players get visas 10 days before their opening World Cup match against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15.
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