World Cup 2026: Iran players to enter and leave US soil after each match day
By Joel Masibo, June 7, 2026Iran’s national football team will only be permitted to travel into and out of the United States on the days of their World Cup fixtures, according to comments made by the country’s ambassador to Mexico on Saturday, June 6, 2026.
The restrictions come amid continuing tensions between Tehran and Washington linked to the conflict involving Israel and Iran. As a result, the Iranian delegation has established its tournament base in Mexico rather than the originally planned training camp in Tucson, Arizona.
Speaking to journalists on Saturday, Ambassador Abolfazl Pasandideh revealed that the squad’s travel arrangements had been significantly limited by visa regulations.
“We can enter in the morning and we must leave the same day.” he explained while discussing the conditions imposed on the delegation.
Mexico comes through
Offering a helping hand, instead of their intended site in Tucson, Arizona, Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum has intervened, saying: “We have no reason to deny them the possibility of staying in Mexico.”
“The United States does not want the Iranian team to stay overnight, but they are going to play three matches there. So they asked us: ‘Can they stay overnight in Mexico?’ And we said: ‘Yes, no problem.’ We have no problem.” Sheinbaum is quoted by Mirror Sport.
Iran are scheduled to play three group-stage matches on American soil during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with fixtures set to take place in Los Angeles and Seattle.
The unusual travel requirements mean the team will not be able to remain in the United States between matches, forcing players and staff to shuttle back and forth from their Mexican base throughout the group phase of the tournament.
Meanwhile, the restrictions come after Iran previously requested to have their matches moved to Mexico, but the world football governing body, FIFA declined the request.
Iran’s three group matches in Group G will see them kick off their campaign against New Zealand in Los Angeles on Tuesday, June 16, 2026. Six days later, they will be in California to face Belgium before they finish off their group assignments against Egypt in Seattle.