Iran’s national football team has been cleared to enter the United States the day before each of their World Cup matches, according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
The team, currently undergoing preparations in Tijuana, will be allowed cross-border entry into the United States despite ongoing tensions between Washington and Tehran. However, officials confirmed that while players have received the necessary visas, some members of the wider delegation were not granted entry permits.
The visa complications emerged just days before the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which begins on Thursday and is being jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
Iran’s squad will remain based in Tijuana throughout the tournament, even though all of their group-stage matches are scheduled to take place in the United States.
According to the Iranian football federation, the team will travel on chartered flights in line with FIFA’s competition schedule. Federation spokesperson Amir Mehdi Alavi said the squad would arrive in host cities shortly before each match.
“The team will travel to the host city one day before the match against New Zealand, and for the following two matches, we will be at the host venue two days before the game,” he said.
Iran’s Sports Minister, Ahmad Donyamali, also issued a warning regarding conduct and symbolism during matches, saying the team would object to any unauthorized flags or slogans in stadiums.
“If, in the stadiums where we play, we see any flag or symbol other than that of the Islamic Republic of Iran, or if norm-breaking slogans are chanted, the team official will certainly have a duty to stop the match,” he said, adding that organizers would be expected to address any such incidents.
Iran is scheduled to face New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15, take on Belgium on June 21 in Los Angeles, and meet Seattle on June 26.
