World Cup 2026: Iran wins four visa applications but 11 workers still banned

Four members of Iran’s World Cup delegation have won appeals against the denial of their visa applications to enter the United States.

But 11 members of the team will not be allowed to travel to the United States when their team plays matches there.

Iran accused the US last week Denying visas to “integral” members of his national football team’s backroom staff.

Officials in Washington said Iranian players were allowed to travel to the country for the tournament.

Already Iran Moved their World Cup base to Mexico The country is on anxiety arising from the war with the United States.

Of the 15 Iranian delegation members initially denied US visas, 10 submitted new applications after arriving in Mexico.

Four of these appeals are said to have been successful. Those granted visas include a member of the team’s technical staff working as an analyst and two officials from the federation’s international division.

The remaining six applicants were again rejected. They include the president of Iran Football Federation (FFIRI), Mehdi Taj, a vice-president of the federation, two team administrators responsible for day-to-day operations, a media officer and a security officer.

A second media officer decided not to reapply for the visa after the initial rejection.

Iran take on New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15 in their first game of the tournament, which is co-hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States.

They will return to the city to face Belgium on June 21, before meeting Egypt in Seattle on June 26.

The country’s World Cup group-stage ticket allocation for supporters was withdrawn by US officials earlier this week, however FIFA stressed that it was working to “maximize the opportunities for Iranian fans to attend the game”.

FFIRI had earlier presented a list of 10 conditions to FIFA for participation in the World Cup, including allowing players, coaches and officials who have completed military service with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Iranian players would be welcome at the tournament but those linked to the IRGC could face an entry ban.

Iran was not represented at FIFA’s annual congress meeting in Vancouver in April when officials retreated to the Canadian border, with Canadian officials citing IRGC links to members of the delegation.

FIFA does not set a limit on the number of people in a country’s World Cup delegation, although it will only cover the costs of 50 people.