Iran World Cup visa crisis escalates as ambassador warns US delays are disrupting team training ahead of matches in Los Angeles and Seattle
The Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Mexico, Abolfazl Pasandideh, on Thursday, May 28, 2026, warned that the Iranian national football team is facing a serious Iran World Cup visa crisis after delays in United States visa approvals disrupted its preparations ahead of the tournament, with training currently relocated to Tijuana, Mexico.
Also read: Neymar faces injury setback in Brazil World Cup race
Abolfazl Pasandideh made the remarks during a press conference in Tijuana, a border city in northwestern Mexico, where the Iranian squad has established a temporary training base after originally planning to prepare in Tucson, Arizona, in the United States.
The ambassador said the relocation had become necessary due to uncertainty over whether players and officials would be granted entry visas into the United States in time for final preparations, describing the situation as a significant setback for the team.
“We don’t know whether or not they’re going to give the players their visas,” Pasandideh said, noting that the lack of clarity had created instability in the team’s training schedule.
He added that the Iran World Cup visa crisis meant the squad was not able to prepare under equal conditions compared with other participating nations, stressing that logistical uncertainty had affected both planning and performance readiness.
“We aren’t participating in the World Cup on equal terms,” he said, adding that the disruption had limited the team’s ability to train effectively amid ongoing regional tensions.
Pasandideh said the situation had forced Iranian officials to rely on facilities in Mexico, including those linked to Club Tijuana, where diplomatic representatives recently visited the training ground and held meetings with local security authorities.
A source familiar with the arrangement said the visit included discussions on security coordination and logistical support as Iran continues preparations away from its intended base in the United States.
Iran is scheduled to play its group-stage matches in Los Angeles and Seattle against New Zealand, Belgium and Egypt, raising additional concerns over travel clearance and multi-entry visa arrangements.
Officials from the Iranian Football Federation have reportedly requested assurances that players will receive the necessary documentation to move between training and match venues without disruption.
The ongoing Iran World Cup visa crisis has drawn attention to broader diplomatic and administrative challenges surrounding international participation in the tournament hosted across North America.
Also read: England World Cup squad: Tuchel leaves out key players
Despite the difficulties, Iranian officials insist the team remains committed to competing, although they warn that continued uncertainty could undermine competitive fairness at a crucial stage of preparation.
Victory Emmanuel is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, business, and public affairs.
