Iran has accused the United States of discriminatory treatment after several members of its World Cup delegation were reportedly denied visas ahead of the tournament. The Iranian embassy in Türkiye said the move unfairly targets staff beyond the national team’s players.
The dispute comes as preparations continue for the World Cup, which will be hosted in the United States. Iran says the visa delays and refusals could disrupt its full participation in the tournament.
US officials have not directly responded to the latest accusations, while earlier statements suggested visa processing for players was moving forward.
Iran says key staff were denied entry
The Iranian embassy said that while player visas were being processed, many officials and technical staff were refused entry permits. It argued that these individuals are essential to the team’s participation.
The embassy accused the US of escalating “discriminatory treatment” against Iran’s national team. It also questioned why support staff were excluded from approval.
Iranian media reported that several senior delegation members, including football federation officials, had not received visas.
Conflicting statements over visa approvals
US envoy Tom Barrack earlier praised visa processing efforts for Iranian players and expressed confidence in smooth approvals. Iranian officials, however, say the situation on the ground is different.
Iranian Football Federation head Mehdi Taj had previously suggested that visas would likely be approved without major issues. But later reports indicated delays affecting non-playing staff.
The conflicting statements have created uncertainty around Iran’s full participation logistics for the tournament.
Iran relocates tournament base amid tensions
Iran has reportedly moved its World Cup base from Tucson, Arizona, to Tijuana in Mexico. The change is seen as a response to ongoing visa complications.
All of Iran’s group-stage matches will still take place in the United States. This adds further logistical pressure on the team and staff.
Matches include fixtures in Los Angeles and Seattle, meaning travel arrangements remain essential for full squad participation.
The visa dispute highlights broader political tensions between Iran and the United States. Iran has framed the issue as discriminatory treatment of its national team.
Sports officials warn that such disputes risk affecting the spirit of international competition. They say football teams rely on full administrative and technical support to perform effectively.
Despite the controversy, Iran is still expected to compete in the upcoming World Cup.
