‘A Disaster World Cup’: Iran captain Mehdi Taremi’s fury after visa chaos derails 2026 campaign

After the New Zealand draw (June 16): Following the team’s 2-2 draw, Taremi remarked: "Everything feels like a catastrophe. This is supposed to be a World Cup, but in reality, we are facing many issues that are not fair." He noted the team was ordered to leave Los Angeles immediately after the match .

Before the tournament (June 14): In an interview with the Associated Press, Taremi said the team’s experience was "less joyful" due to the ongoing conflict with the U.S. and that he had "sensed the pressure" from the unique political situation .

Pre-tournament interview (June 13): Taremi urged that "sport and politics should remain separate; a World Cup is a message for a conflict-free world" .

Visa and travel problems Iran faced

The restrictions began long before the first kick-off and affected not just the players but the entire delegation.

• Visa denials for key staff: The U.S. denied visas to Iran’s FFIRI secretary-general Hedayat Mombeini, vice president Mehdi Mohammad Nabi, and other key managerial and administrative members. Iran’s federation called it "vindictive behavior" . A total of 15 Iranian soccer federation members were denied visas to travel to the U.S. for the World Cup games .
• Pre-tournament boycott: In November 2025, Iran boycotted the World Cup draw in the U.S. after being granted only four visas for its delegation, excluding all players and coaches . (Some delegation members did eventually attend the draw after a last-minute reversal .)
• Forced to base in Mexico: Unable to reliably enter or stay in the U.S., Iran set up its training camp in Tijuana, Mexico, and commuted across the border for matches, traveling to the U.S. only the day before each game .
• Ordered to leave immediately after matches: After their 2-2 draw with New Zealand in Los Angeles, the team was instructed to depart the U.S. straight away rather than stay overnight . The team was also required to return to Tijuana immediately after the Egypt match .
• Ticket allocation revoked: Iran’s ticket allotment was revoked shortly before the tournament began .
• Journalists also affected: The International Sports Press Association reported that Iranian and African journalists were denied visas or given only single-entry visas, preventing them from properly covering the tournament .

FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s response

Infantino addressed the crisis in a press conference on the eve of the tournament, June 10.

• "We don't control everything": Infantino said FIFA "does not control everything" when it comes to issuing U.S. visas and could not override government decisions .
• Defended FIFA’s visa policy: He stated: "We put into play a FIFA Visa policy and I've been told this is working well. The bonds that the US government wanted to introduce has been waived." He added: "I'm happy that they are here... I would have driven a bus from Tehran and brought them here myself. Of course there are challenges and it's not been easy" .
• Told critics to "chill": Infantino urged football fans to "chill and relax" when faced with criticism over immigration and visa issues .
• Failed to deliver on promises: Iran’s team supervisor, Mehdi Mohammad Nabi, told Reuters on June 12 that Infantino had "failed to deliver on promises" to secure full U.S. access for the Iranian delegation . Taremi similarly said Infantino visited the team’s dressing room after the New Zealand match and promised to fix everything, but "in reality, FIFA did nothing" .

Impact on Iran’s campaign

The off-field chaos had tangible consequences.

• Disrupted preparation and logistics: The team could not train or stay in the U.S. continuously, was forced into a Mexico-based routine, and lacked key support staff who were denied visas . Head coach Amir Ghalenoei called his team "the most oppressed" at the tournament .
• On-field results: Iran drew all three group-stage matches (2-2 vs New Zealand, 1-1 vs Egypt, and results pending for their third match). Their qualification for the knockout stage remained uncertain as of June 27 .
• Planned FIFA complaint: Iran announced it would file a formal grievance with FIFA over the travel restrictions and what it called unfair treatment . A spokesperson from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security responded by saying, "The Iranian national football team agreed to these terms" .
• Taremi’s penalty miss: In the 1-1 draw against Egypt, Taremi won but then missed a first-half penalty, adding to his frustration on what he already considered a disastrous tournament .