World ( The cow news digital ) The United States has reportedly denied visas to a 15-member delegation of Iran’s football team ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026, creating uncertainty around administrative participation despite players being cleared to travel for the tournament.
According to Iranian state media, while the national squad and essential technical staff have been granted entry permits, several key officials from the team’s management and administrative structure have been left without visas. Those affected include Iran Football Federation president Mehdi Taj, the team manager, media officers, security personnel, and representatives from the foreign ministry.
U.S. authorities have confirmed that Iranian players, along with necessary support staff, have been approved to enter the country for the tournament. However, visa applications for other members of the delegation remain under review or have been denied, raising questions about the completeness of Iran’s official representation at the global sporting event.
The decision has drawn criticism from Iranian officials, who have urged FIFA to intervene and ensure that all members of the delegation are granted fair access. Tehran has described the situation as problematic, arguing that administrative staff play a crucial role in managing logistics, communication, and team coordination during international competitions.
Despite the visa issue, Iran’s national football team has already arrived in Mexico, where they are expected to prepare for their group-stage matches. The team is scheduled to play its opening fixture on June 15 in Los Angeles against New Zealand, followed by another anticipated match against Belgium at the same venue.
The development comes amid heightened scrutiny of travel and security arrangements for participating nations ahead of the expanded World Cup 2026, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Diplomatic sensitivities surrounding visas and team logistics have previously surfaced in global sporting events, but such disputes remain rare at the scale of the World Cup.
Football analysts suggest that while the absence of administrative officials may not directly affect on-field performance, it could create operational challenges for the Iranian squad during a high-pressure international tournament. Attention is now focused on whether FIFA or tournament organizers will step in to resolve the issue before Iran’s opening match.
As the World Cup approaches, the controversy adds an unexpected political dimension to what is expected to be one of the most widely followed sporting events in the world.
