Iran Eyes FIFA Visa Help Ahead of 2026 World Cup Travel Hurdles

Iran’s football federation says it expects FIFA to step in and help secure multiple-entry visas for the national team ahead of the 2026 World Cup, a logistical issue that could shape how smoothly the squad moves through North America.

Federation president Mehdi Taj said the organization is optimistic FIFA will help resolve the travel process, with the goal of making it easier for players and staff to move in and out of the United States during the qualification and tournament phases.

Why the visa issue matters

The 2026 World Cup will be staged across the United States, Mexico, and Canada, which means travel planning will be more complex than in a single-country tournament. For a team like Iran, multiple-entry clearance would reduce the risk of repeated delays and make it easier to handle scheduling, training camps, and match logistics.

According to reports, the federation wants a visa arrangement that would allow players to enter the United States and return to Mexico as needed, reflecting the tournament’s cross-border format.

What Iran is asking FIFA to do

The request centers on FIFA helping to facilitate visas for the squad so that international movement does not become a barrier before or during the event. The federation has framed the issue as a practical one rather than a sporting one, emphasizing preparation and smooth travel.

Some members of the squad have already had preliminary visa appointments at the U.S. Embassy in Ankara, underscoring that the process is already underway, but still not fully resolved.

The bigger World Cup backdrop

The 2026 tournament is the first men’s World Cup to expand to 48 teams, and its North American spread will put unusual pressure on travel, border processing, and team scheduling. For federations, the off-field logistics may matter almost as much as the football itself.

Iran’s case is a reminder that major tournaments are built on more than stadiums and matchdays. They also depend on paperwork, diplomacy, and the ability of governing bodies to remove obstacles before they become headlines.

What happens next

Iran is now waiting to see whether FIFA can deliver the visa support the federation expects. If it does, the team would enter the World Cup cycle with one major administrative concern eased.

For now, the message from Tehran is clear: Iran wants its route to the 2026 World Cup to be decided on the pitch, not at the embassy.