Iran still waiting for visas as World Cup looms, says FA President

Iranian FA president Mehdi Taj has confirmed that Iran's players are still waiting to be issued with visas for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, just weeks before the tournament is set to begin in the United States.

Thousands of fans attended a departure rally for the squad in Tehran on Wednesday, but uncertainty continues to hang over the team's travel arrangements. Taj told state news agency IRNA that the "visa issue has still not been resolved".

"Tomorrow or the day after, we will have a decisive meeting with FIFA. They must give us guarantees", he said. "We have not received any account from the other side regarding who has been granted visas. No visas have been issued yet."

The tournament, co-hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico, starts on June 11. Iran are scheduled to play New Zealand on June 15 and Belgium on June 21 — both in Los Angeles — before facing Egypt in Seattle on June 26. The team is set to be based in Tucson, Arizona.

The United States is currently at war with Iran, although the countries are in the midst of a month-long ceasefire. The conflict has led to uncertainty around Iran's participation, but FIFA president Gianni Infantino confirmed at FIFA's annual congress in Vancouver last month that Iran would play.

Taj and other Iranian FA officials were previously turned away at the Canadian border, with Canada's immigration minister stating that Taj's visa was cancelled due to his links to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The FFIRI has since presented FIFA with a list of ten conditions for participation, including allowing players, coaches, and officials who have completed military service with the IRGC to obtain visas.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has stated that Iranian athletes will be welcome at the tournament, but individuals with ties to the IRGC could face entry restrictions. With the World Cup fast approaching, the visa standoff remains unresolved.