Iran football team faces visa and ticket hurdles while training in Mexico ahead of 2026 World Cup

Iran’s national football team has set up a training base in Tijuana, Mexico, ahead of its opening match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States. The squad operates under tight security and severe logistical limits as 13 members of its coaching and administrative staff remain without U.S. visas.

The Iranian Football Federation announced that the entire 8% ticket allocation for each of its group‑stage games – against New Zealand, Belgium and Egypt – was cancelled without explanation, prompting a formal protest to FIFA. FIFA president Gianni Infantino reaffirmed that Iran will compete in the tournament, citing a personal promise from the Iranian sports minister and a welcoming note from U.S. President Donald Trump.

Visa complications stem partly from the U.S. and Canada’s designation of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a foreign terrorist organization, which has delayed or denied entry for Iranian officials and even a Somali referee selected for the World Cup. Preparations have also been disrupted by cancelled friendlies and travel via Turkey and Spain before entering Mexico. The team will travel from Tijuana to Los Angeles, Inglewood and Seattle for its three group matches.