Iran alleges U.S. denied visas to key football officials ahead of FIFA 2026 World Cup
The Iranian government has accused the United States of discriminatory behaviour after alleging that key members of its national team were denied visas ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The U.S. Ambassador to Turkey, Tom Barrack, in a post on X on Saturday, commended the staff at the U.S. embassy in Ankara for their efforts in processing visas for Iran’s national football team, despite ongoing tensions between Tehran and Washington.
“Proud of our outstanding team at the U.S. embassy in Ankara for their work processing visas for Iran’s national football team on their road to the @FIFAWorldCup in the United States. Sports transcends borders, and we look forward to welcoming competitors and fans from around the world,” Mr Barrack stated.
However, in response, the Iranian embassy in Turkey dismissed Mr Barrack’s claims while accusing the U.S. of violating FIFA regulations by denying visas to a sizable portion of the team’s managerial and executive staff.
The embassy said, “You cannot whitewash conduct that violates FIFA regulations and breaches the United States’ host obligations merely by praising yourselves. Why do you not say that visas were denied to a large portion of the managerial and executive staff, technical advisers, and others who are an integral part of any national football team?
“You have now escalated the deliberate and discriminatory treatment against Iran’s national football team to its highest level. By extending your whimsical hostilities against the Iranian nation into the realm of sport, the U.S. government in practice is depriving Iran’s national team of its right to play in the World Cup under normal conditions and without undue pressure and stress.
“This represents the worst possible form of politically biased interference in sport. FIFA must hold the US accountable for violations of its rules and for the discriminatory treatment of Iran’s national football team.”
Reports from Iran indicated that the head of the football federation and his deputy were among those denied entry to the United States.
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