Iran Team's US Visas
Iran's World Cup Soccer Team Granted US Visas to Play Games in the US
The U.S. government has approved visas for members of Iran's national soccer team, clearing the way for Team Melli to enter the country ahead of their first two World Cup matches near Los Angeles, according to 12News and multiple U.S. officials. The decision came overnight on June 5, just ten days before Iran faces New Zealand on June 15 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.
The approval ends a months-long diplomatic standoff shaped by the ongoing U.S.-Israel war with Iran — a conflict that began February 28 with Operation Epic Fury. Visa delays had already forced Iran to move its training base from Tucson, Arizona, to Tijuana, Mexico. The team's passports are expected to be returned as early as Friday or Saturday, THV11 reported.
How a War Upended Iran's World Cup Preparations
The conflict started on February 28, when the U.S. and Israel launched nearly 900 airstrikes on Iran under Operation Epic Fury. Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was killed in the initial wave. A temporary ceasefire was declared on April 8, mediated by Pakistan. But the war cast a shadow over Iran's World Cup bid from the start.
U.S. President Donald Trump publicly discouraged Iran's participation and said he could not guarantee the team's "life and safety" on U.S. soil, according to KVUE. Secretary of State Marco Rubio drew a hard line in June, stating that anyone with ties to Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps would be barred from entry. Iran Football Federation President Mehdi Taj — himself a former IRGC commander — was denied entry as far back as the December 2025 tournament draw.
Tucson Loses Training Camp, Team Settles in Tijuana
On May 23, Iranian football officials announced they were moving the team's base from Tucson, Arizona, to Tijuana, Mexico, after FIFA approved the switch. Pima County Stadium District Director Sarah Hanna said months of local planning by tourism and safety partners had been finalized before the move was announced, Fox43 reported.
Under the new setup, Team Melli will stay in Tijuana and fly into the U.S. only on match days, returning to Mexico immediately after each game. Sports analysts warn this "commuter" arrangement — crossing the border for 90-minute matches — could hurt player recovery and performance over the course of the group stage.
Not Everyone on Iran's Staff Got the Green Light
All players on the Iranian squad have been approved, Fox61 reported. But it is unclear whether some technical and administrative staff are still under review. Iranian state media cited by WUSA9 said the U.S. embassy had refused visas for essential non-player personnel, framing the U.S. as an obstructive host. Iran's Ambassador to Mexico, Abolfazl Pasandideh, said the team was "not participating under equal terms."
U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack credited the Ankara embassy for processing the player visas, saying "sports transcends borders." FIFA President Gianni Infantino had insisted throughout the standoff that football must "bring people together" and kept Iran on the original schedule despite the war.
Iran's Group G Schedule and What Comes Next
Iran plays three Group G matches: June 15 vs. New Zealand in Inglewood (9 PM ET), June 21 vs. Belgium in Inglewood (3 PM ET), and June 26 vs. Egypt in Seattle (11 PM ET). The FBI and DHS have announced heightened security at all venues. The Seattle match is under especially close intelligence watch due to current U.S.-Iran tensions.
If both the U.S. and Iran finish second in their respective groups, they could meet in the Round of 32 on July 3 in Arlington, Texas, according to Fox43. Large Iranian-American communities in Los Angeles and Seattle are expected to use the matches as platforms for both pro-regime and anti-regime protests, adding another layer of complexity for security officials.
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