• Iran's national soccer team has arrived in Tijuana, Mexico, amid a visa dispute with the US.
• Despite all players receiving US visas, several support staff were denied entry.
• The team must now navigate strict visa conditions while participating in the World Cup.

Iran's national soccer team landed in Tijuana, Mexico, on June 7, just days before the start of the 2026 World Cup, amid escalating tensions resulting from visa denials by the United States. The team departed Turkey after a training camp and is slated to be based in Tijuana throughout the tournament, even though all three of their group matches will occur in the US, according to Channel News Asia and Reuters.

The Iranian Football Federation revealed that while all players received their visas just days before their first match, 15 managerial and support staff members were denied visas, prompting accusations of political interference from both the Iranian government and football officials. The Iranian embassy in Turkey criticized the US for what it termed "discriminatory treatment," urging FIFA to step in, as reported by BBC and Le Monde.

Amid these tensions, the squad has received strict instructions about their entry into the United States, namely that they must leave on the same day as their matches. Some officials indicated that the visas were initially issued as multiple-entry, which led to confusion over travel plans and obligations under FIFA regulations, according to Reuters and Le Monde.

The first match for Iran in Group G is against New Zealand on June 15 in Los Angeles, followed by matches against Belgium and Egypt on June 21 and 26, respectively. The team’s recent focus has been navigating the complex political landscape while ensuring their participation in the World Cup, reflecting a historical moment where a host nation confronts a competing nation in the midst of tension, as outlined by BBC and Channel News Asia.