Iran World Cup players granted US visas: White House

Iran’s national football team players have been granted visas to enter the United States for the upcoming World Cup, a White House official confirmed on Friday.

The visas clear the way for the team to participate in matches hosted in the US, following earlier concerns about travel restrictions. Officials emphasised that all necessary clearances were issued to ensure the players can compete without delay.

The move comes as part of ongoing coordination between US authorities and FIFA to facilitate smooth participation for all qualified teams in the tournament.

According to Reuters, approval for the Iranian squad came at the last possible moment after officials confirmed the team’s travel documentation had been stuck amid logistical and diplomatic complications. Abolfazl Pasandideh, Iran’s ambassador to Mexico, had earlier indicated that paperwork issues were holding up final clearance.

To work around the delays, the team had already established preliminary training bases in Antalya, Turkey, and Tijuana, Mexico, while also adjusting plans to shift its final camp from Arizona to Tijuana to limit time spent on U.S. soil.

With the approvals now in place, the squad is expected to arrive in Tijuana early Sunday to complete final preparations before crossing into California for their World Cup opener against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15. They will later face Belgium and Egypt in Seattle during the group stage.

The developments come against the backdrop of heightened political tensions between Washington and Tehran, adding an unusual layer of complexity to the tournament. For the first time in World Cup history, a host nation is set to accommodate a team from a country with which it is currently at odds, prompting heightened security and organisational scrutiny ahead of the matches.