Iran squad restricted to same-day US entry for 2026 World Cup
Iran's national team must depart the US immediately after matches during the 2026 World Cup, forcing the squad to base themselves in Mexico.
The Iranian national team faces significant logistical hurdles for the 2026 World Cup, as new travel mandates restrict their presence on US soil to match days only. Under these regulations, the delegation must enter the country on the morning of a game and depart immediately following the final whistle.
Abolfazl Pasandideh, the Iranian ambassador to Mexico, confirmed the strict nature of these arrangements. While the US State Department has issued the necessary sporting visas, it justified the rigorous scrutiny by citing security concerns, explicitly stating they would not allow the system to be exploited to facilitate the entry of unauthorized individuals.
This mandate forced Iran to abandon its original plans to base the team in Arizona. Instead, the squad will establish its headquarters in Mexico for the duration of the group stage. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has publicly welcomed the decision to host the team, noting that Mexico has no objection to providing a base for the visitors.
Despite Iran's request to FIFA to relocate their matches entirely to Mexican venues, the governing body denied the proposal. As a result, the team must now manage a demanding travel schedule, involving multiple cross-border flights for their group stage matches against New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt.