Iran's World Cup squad granted visas into USA amid ongoing conflict in Middle East

Donald Trump issues an update on the war in Iran

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GB NEWS

Lewis Henderson

By Lewis Henderson


Published: 05/06/2026

- 18:39

Updated: 05/06/2026

- 18:49

The Iranian team will be based in Mexico for the tournament, with their games being played in America

Iran's World Cup squad have been granted visas into the USA, according to a White House Official.

The individual told the Reuters news agency that the team will be able to enter the States for their games.


Iran are due to kick off their World Cup campaign on June 15 against New Zealand in Los Angeles, before facing Belgium and then taking on Egypt in Seattle.

The head of Iran's football federation said earlier today that the Iranian national team had handed their passports to the United States embassy in Turkey for visas.

Mehdi Taj explained that the country were following the instructions from Fifa.

Taj said: "Yesterday, I had discussions with FIFA regarding the US visas. We were told to submit all passports to the US embassy in Ankara.

"We are waiting to see what happens today or, at the latest, tomorrow, because our national team needs to receive these passports and travel with them to Tijuana.

"My assessment is that all visas will be issued in full, and there most likely will not be any problem in this regard."

Iran national team

Iran's squad have been granted visas into the USA

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REUTERS

Mexico will host the Iranian national team, having originally planned to be set up in Tucson, Arizona.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum revealed the United States had requested that Mexico host Iran.

Sheinbaum said: "The United States does not want the Iranian national team to stay overnight in the United States.

"They asked us because they are going to play all three matches there. So they asked us: 'Can they stay overnight in Mexico?'

Iranian national team

Mexico are hosting the Iranian national team at America's request

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REUTERS

"And we said: 'Yes, no problem.' We have absolutely no problem with that."

Fifa have confirmed that Iran's training base will be at Centro Xoloitzcuintle in Tijuana, Mexico.

Iran have been preparing for the tournament in Antalya, southern Turkey.

The Iranian FA presented to Fifa a list of 10 conditions they will require to participate in the World Cup.

Iranian national team

Iran have been preparing for the tournament in Antalya, southern Turkey

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REUTERS

These included allowing players, coaches and officials who have undertaken military service with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to have visas.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that Iran's players will be welcome at the tournament; however, individuals connected to the IRGC may face entry restrictions.

Iran qualified for a fourth consecutive World Cup by topping its group in the third round of Asian qualifying last year.

The country has played at six previous World Cups, failing to make it past the group stages in 2022.

Iran played the US and England at the Qatar World Cup, losing both games, but did beat Wales to finish third in the group.