MEXICO CITY, June 12 - The Iranian soccer federation has expressed frustration over FIFA's failure to ensure proper visa access for its members to attend the World Cup in the United States. Mahdi Mohammad Nabi, the supervisor of Iran's World Cup team, highlighted that he and 14 other federation members have been denied visas, which hampers their ability to support the team during the tournament.

Concerns Over FIFA's Promises

Nabi, who previously oversaw squad operations during the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, conveyed his disappointment in a conversation with Reuters. He emphasized the need for FIFA President Gianni Infantino to fulfill his commitments made regarding the Iranian team's participation. "We hope Mr. Infantino will indeed implement the words and promises he made to the Iran national team," Nabi stated. He further insisted that FIFA's regulations and protocols should be adhered to by both member federations and host nations.

Impact of Visa Denials

The U.S. State Department has stated that the visa rejections were due to concerns about potential misuse of the system, specifically citing fears of terrorism. The Iranian team has faced additional challenges, including a last-minute relocation of their training base from Arizona to Tijuana as a result of these visa issues. This situation raises significant questions about the organization of the 2026 World Cup, which is being jointly hosted by Mexico, the U.S., and Canada.

Moreover, the U.S. has denied visas to various Iranian and African journalists covering the event and has implemented stringent measures for countries with high visa overstays. Notably, Iranian federation members are not the only ones facing difficulties; Somali FIFA referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan was also denied entry despite holding a valid visa, due to alleged links to terrorist organizations. However, Iran remains the only World Cup team experiencing such extensive visa denials.

This World Cup marks a historic moment, as it is the first time since the tournament's inception in 1930 that a host nation will welcome a country it is currently at war with. The ongoing tensions between the U.S. and Iran add another layer of complexity to the event.