The 2026 World Cup qualification campaign for the Iranian national team has progressed a significant stage further with passport applications being submitted to the U.S. Embassy in Ankara for the necessary visa application.
The president of the Football Federation of the Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI), Mehdi Taj, confirmed: “Passport applications were filed after receiving advice from FIFA, as we await to see if we get the approval.”
This development in visa acquisition takes place against a backdrop of political tension between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States, sparking doubts over the entry of all Iranian members involved into U.S. Territory prior to the World Cup.
The FFIRI president disclosed to have highlighted the issue with FIFA and further advised that further measures could be contemplated if a visa is denied to any member of the team, including players, coaches and members of the entourage.
Notwithstanding the issue, Taj expressed optimism that no problem could befall the process.
Iran will proceed from Turkey to Spain, then head to their destination World Cup base in Tijuana, Mexico. This had originally been scheduled to be in Tucson, Arizona, before changing destination.
Iran is slated to have all of its group matches in the United States, and the approval of these visas becomes imperative.
