… The Iranian football federation (FFIRI) had said in April it was "negotiating" with FIFA to relocate the country's World Cup matches from the United States to Mexico. …
The US has confirmed that Iran's national football team has been granted visas to enter the United States for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which is being co-hosted by the US despite ongoing regional tensions between the two countries.
The US has confirmed that Iran's national football team has been granted visas to enter the United States for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which is being co-hosted by the US despite ongoing regional tensions between the two countries.
New attacks in the Middle East on Friday threatened a fragile US-Iran ceasefire that has been in place since April 8, with the US military striking Iranian radar sites after downing drones, and Iran's Revolutionary Guards responding with missile strikes toward Kuwait and Bahrain. Weeks of complex talks have failed to secure a deal to end the war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran's national football team handed their passports to the US embassy in Turkey for visa applications ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, according to Iran's Football Federation head Mehdi Taj, following FIFA's instructions. The team's participation remains uncertain as Iran and the US negotiate to end a Middle East war that began in February.
Iran's football federation vice-president expressed confidence in FIFA's protocols as the team prepares for the 2026 World Cup in the United States. Iran will face New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt in Group G, opening their campaign against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15.
FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafstrom described a meeting held on Saturday in Istanbul with the Iranian federation as "excellent" and "constructive," focusing on ensuring Iran's participation in the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Iran is scheduled to play all three group matches in the US despite the war in the Middle East.
Iran's football federation chief said no visas had been issued for the Iranian national team to participate in the 2026 World Cup in the United States, and announced a planned meeting with FIFA to resolve the visa issue.
Iran held a send-off ceremony Wednesday in Tehran's Enghelab Square for the national football team ahead of the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada. The team will face New Zealand, Belgium and Egypt in Group G, opening against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15.
FIFA has invited Iran's football federation to its Zurich headquarters by May 20 to prepare for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. FIFA President Gianni Infantino has confirmed Iran will participate and play its games in the United States as scheduled, despite uncertainty arising from Middle East conflict.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino reaffirmed that Iran will participate in the 2026 World Cup and play their games in the United States as scheduled, despite uncertainty stemming from Middle East tensions since February.
FIFA's 76th Congress convenes in Vancouver less than two months before the World Cup opens across Canada, Mexico and the United States, with roughly 1,600 delegates expected to discuss the Iran war, World Cup logistics, and Russia's international ban. Iran's football federation officials abruptly left Canada after landing in Toronto, threatening to overshadow the meeting.
Italy's government and sports officials rejected suggestions by a US envoy that Italy replace Iran at the 2026 World Cup, with Italy's sports minister stating reinstatement "is not possible" and "you qualify on the pitch." Iran's embassy called the proposal an example of US "moral bankruptcy."