The Special Rules Governing Iran’s World Cup Team

The United States is imposing strict travel restrictions on Iran’s national soccer team as the 2026 World Cup begins amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran.

Iran’s national team, known as Team Melli, is scheduled to play all three of its matches in the United States, beginning with a June 15 match against New Zealand at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.

The team had initially planned to train in Tucson, Arizona, but FIFA approved a request to move Iran’s base camp to Tijuana, Mexico, following the U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran earlier this year and increasing security concerns surrounding the tournament.

President Donald Trump warned in March that although Iran was welcome to compete in the World Cup, he did not believe it was “appropriate” for the team to travel to the United States “for their own life and safety.”

The visa process has also drawn scrutiny after U.S. officials said some members of Iran’s delegation had ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which the United States designates as a terrorist organization.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio addressed the issue during a House Appropriations subcommittee hearing, saying the administration had no objection to Iranian athletes entering the country.

“We have no problems with the athletes, as we stated earlier, or the support staff,” Rubio stated. “But what we’re not going to allow them is for them to embed in their delegation a bunch of people that we know have nothing to do with athletics and have ties to the IRGC or things of that nature.”

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) later said the visas required for Iran to compete have been issued, while making clear that the administration would not approve every member of the delegation.

“The visas necessary for Iran to compete in the World Cup, including for athletes and necessary support staff, have been issued,” the DHS commented. “We will not allow the Iranian team to abuse this system to sneak terrorists into the United States under false pretenses.”

Iranian players and officials have criticized the restrictions, arguing that visa delays and travel limits have disrupted the team’s preparation for the tournament.

Iranian officials also claimed the team would be forced to enter and leave the United States on the same day as each match, but DHS disputed that account.

“These statements are untrue,” the DHS spokesperson explained in a statement. “Thanks to the generosity of President Trump, the Iranian team will be able to arrive the day before their matches.”

Iran arrived in Mexico this week and will remain based in Tijuana while traveling into the United States for its matches. The arrangement marks one of the most politically sensitive logistical challenges of the 2026 World Cup, which is being hosted jointly by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.