Iran’s World Cup Soccer Team Receives U.S. Visas
U.S. officials confirmed on Friday that members of Iran’s World Cup soccer team have been granted visas to enter the United States for the upcoming tournament. The Iranian delegation applied for their visas at the U.S. Embassy in Turkey as they prepare for the World Cup with a training camp in Antalya.
Visa Approval Announced by U.S. Ambassador
U.S. Ambassador to Turkey, Tom Barrack, appeared to affirm the visa approvals in a post on X, expressing pride in the U.S. Embassy’s ability to process work visas for the Iranian national soccer team heading to the FIFA World Cup. He emphasized that sports bridge divides, looking ahead to welcoming competitors and fans from across the globe.
Details on Issued Visas
According to U.S. officials, visas have been issued not only to players but also to coaches, trainers, and a portion of support staff. These officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, were not authorized to publicly discuss visa matters. It remains unclear whether any Iranian applicants were denied entry, and while the timeline for passport returns is not definitive, it is expected that the team could travel as soon as Friday or Saturday.
Monitoring Iranian Delegation
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated on Tuesday that the Iranian delegation would undergo close monitoring, particularly regarding any ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. He clarified that while the players and support staff are not the focus of concern, vigilance would be maintained to prevent the inclusion of individuals with associations deemed inappropriate.
World Cup Matches Scheduled in California and Seattle
Iran’s World Cup journey includes two group stage matches in Inglewood, California, with their first game against New Zealand on June 15, followed by a match against Belgium six days later. Their third encounter is set for June 26 in Seattle against Egypt. Originally, Iran had planned to base their training in Tucson, Arizona, but safety concerns led the country’s soccer federation to relocate the camp to Tijuana, Mexico. The team has since secured visas for Mexico and intends to travel there this weekend.
Geopolitical Context Surrounding Participation
Iran’s participation in the World Cup has faced uncertainty following a joint attack by the United States and Israel in late February. While there have been discussions of potential peace proposals, tensions persist. FIFA has consistently maintained that Iran is to participate fully in the tournament, despite external pressures. In March, then-President Donald Trump voiced concerns regarding player safety, labeling Iran’s participation as “not appropriate.” In response, the Iranian national team asserted their stance, declaring that “no one can exclude Iran.”
Challenges with Visa Approvals
The Iranian team has encountered significant challenges surrounding visa approvals. In April, the president of the Iranian Football Federation, Mehdi Taj, had his visa to enter Canada revoked due to previous ties with the Islamic Revolutionary Guards, classified as a terrorist organization by both Canada and the United States. Despite these hurdles, the final squad for the tournament was announced Monday, featuring 17 players from local clubs who have not played since February due to ongoing conflict.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
