Iran has harshly criticized the United States for obstructing the process of obtain visas for Iranian players, officials and fans for the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in Canada, the United States and Mexico from June 11 to July 19.
“While our football community has the right to participate in this event without barriers, The United States has so far violated its commitments in this regard“, declared this Sunday the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Esmaeil Baghaei.
Iran has lodged a protest with world football’s governing body, FIFA, and with the American interests section of the Swiss embassy in Tehran, he added.
“We hope that Washington will once and for all refrain from politicize sporting events and we also hope that FIFA officials will assume their responsibilities,” the spokesperson added, according to the ISNA news agency.
Iranian football circles fear that the United States will refuse visas to fans and several officials of the Iranian Football Federation (IFF). Even The visa situation of the team’s star forward Mehdi Taremi is also unclear. after the Olympiacos player posted a message on social media in support of Palestine and against Iran’s arch-enemy Israel.
Iran is one of the countries that the administration of the President of the United States, Donald Trump imposed an entry ban. However, exceptions will be made for athletes, officials and their immediate family members for the World Cup and the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
The United States had already denied the visa to the president of the FFI, Mehdi Taj, and at least six other officials for last week’s World Cup draw in Washington.
In response, Tehran initially decided to boycott the draw, but later revised it. Coach Amir Ghalenoei and two FFI officials were eventually sent to attend the December 5 event.
Iran will face Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand and are optimistic about qualifying for the World Cup for the first time in their history. This will be the country’s seventh participation in the tournament, having previously competed in 1978, 1998, 2006, 2014, 2018 and 2022.
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