Fly In, Play, Fly Out: Iran's World Cup Team Faces Extraordinary US Restriction

Last Updated:June 07, 2026, 12:28 IST

Iran envoy Abolfazl Pasandideh says Iranian players may face same day in out US travel rules at 2026 World Cup, no confirmation yet from US or FIFA.

Iran’s national football team may face strict travel restrictions during the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, with Iranian officials claiming players would only be allowed to enter the country on the day of their matches and would have to leave immediately afterward.

The claim was made by Iran’s ambassador to Mexico, Abolfazl Pasandideh, who said the Iranian squad had been informed of special entry conditions for the tournament, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

According to the ambassador, Iranian players would not be permitted to stay in the United States between matches and would instead be required to arrive on matchday and depart the same day. No official confirmation of the reported restrictions has yet been issued by US authorities or FIFA.

The development comes amid continuing tensions between Washington and Tehran, with diplomatic relations between the two countries remaining strained for decades. Travel restrictions and visa-related issues have frequently complicated exchanges involving Iranian citizens and officials.

Iran has already secured qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and is expected to be among the leading Asian teams competing in the expanded 48-team tournament.

If implemented, the reported measures could create significant logistical challenges for the Iranian squad, as teams traditionally establish training bases and remain in host countries throughout the competition. Constant travel between matches could affect preparation, recovery and team operations.

The issue could also raise questions for FIFA, which requires host nations to facilitate participation by all qualified teams regardless of political differences. Sporting bodies have previously faced similar challenges when geopolitical disputes intersected with major international tournaments.

Neither FIFA nor tournament organisers have publicly commented on the ambassador’s remarks. The United States, which will host the majority of matches during the 2026 World Cup, has yet to clarify whether any special visa or travel arrangements would apply to the Iranian delegation.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is scheduled to be the largest edition in the tournament’s history, featuring 48 teams and matches across the United States, Canada and Mexico. As preparations continue, the reported restrictions on Iran’s participation are likely to draw attention from football officials, diplomats and human rights advocates alike.

News world Fly In, Play, Fly Out: Iran's World Cup Team Faces Extraordinary US Restriction

Read More