Iran Seeks FIFA Meeting Over US Visa Delays Ahead of 2026 World Cup
Iran’s football federation says none of its players or officials has received US visas for the 2026 World Cup. President Mehdi Taj says an urgent meeting with FIFA will seek clear answers and guarantees on the hold-up. No approvals or lists of successful applicants have been shared. Players currently face a trip to Ankara for fingerprinting, but the federation hopes to shift this to Antalya to cut extra travel. Team Melli will camp in Tucson, Arizona, before kicking off its Group G campaign in Los Angeles on June 15 against New Zealand, followed by matches with Belgium and Egypt. Diplomatic ties between Iran and the United States have been severed since 1980, and regional tensions involving the US and Israel add to the uncertainty. Iran held a farewell ceremony for its squad as it prepares for the tournament.
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