How US Travel Restrictions Shaped Iran's 2026 World Cup Campaign: Forced Commutes, Denied Visas, and a Heroic Draw Against Belgium

The Guardian noted that Iran "stood firm against the limitations imposed by FIFA and the US, earning respectable draws in both" of their first two matches .

How US Travel Restrictions and Visa Disputes Shaped Iran's Campaign

Iran's entire tournament was overshadowed by a bitter diplomatic dispute with the United States over visas and travel rules. Here is how each element played out:

Forced Commute from Tijuana & 24-Hour Entry Rule

• Iran was forced to base itself in Tijuana, Mexico, rather than in the United States, because US authorities denied visas to many of its support staff
• The team was subject to a mandatory 24-hour entry rule: they could enter the US only on the morning of match day and had to leave by the same evening, preventing them from staying overnight for recovery
• Iran's ambassador to Mexico confirmed the squad was told they must "enter in the morning, leave same day"
• Coach Amir Ghalenoei and players said the constant cross-border commuting left them exhausted and unable to properly prepare or recover between matches

Denied Visas for Federation Officials and Staff

• In November 2025, Iran boycotted the World Cup draw in Washington, DC, after the US granted only four visas to its delegation and denied visas to Iran Football Federation President Mehdi Taj and other senior officials
• In June 2026, the US denied visas to 15 administrative and support staff members of Iran's delegation, including the federation's secretary-general and vice president
• BBC reported that 11 of those staff remained banned even after four won visa appeals
• The federation accused the US of "vindictive behavior" and "discriminatory treatment"

Mehdi Torabi's Expired Visa

• Striker Mehdi Torabi was issued a single-entry visa that expired immediately after Iran's opening match against New Zealand on June 15
• Unlike his teammates, who received multiple-entry visas, Torabi's visa allowed only one entry. The Iran federation said his visa "was valid for only one entry" and lapsed after the team returned to Mexico
• His participation in the Belgium match and beyond was initially in doubt, but the US State Department issued him a new visa on June 17, clearing him to continue in the tournament

Criticism from Coach and Federation

Coach Amir Ghalenoei repeatedly denounced the restrictions. Upon arrival in Tijuana, he said: "We should have arrived last week because the 12-hour flight... now we had to travel 16 hours to Tehran, then 14 hours to Istanbul, and then 14 hours to Mexico due to the US visa refusals" . Before the Belgium match, he told media his squad "continues to face unjust treatment from the United States" and called Iran the "most oppressed team" at the tournament .

Forward Mehdi Taremi said the visa denials created "a lot of tension" and hurt the US's global image . The Iran Football Federation formally complained to FIFA on June 20, arguing that the 24-hour entry rule violated fair play and equal treatment principles and requesting FIFA's intervention .

The Guardian summed up the mood: "Iran continues to believe. They have stood firm against the limitations imposed by FIFA and the US, earning respectable draws in both" matches .