Iran accuses US of denying World Cup visas for support staff

Iran has accused the United States of denying visas to "integral" members of its national football team's backroom staff, according to the Embassy of Iran in Türkiye.

The visa dispute comes as all three of Iran's group-stage matches at the tournament, which is being co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, are scheduled to be played in the United States.

On Friday, all members of the Iran national team and some support staff received US visas ahead of the team's opening match on June 11. However, "a large portion of the managerial and executive staff, technical advisers and others who are an integral part of any national football team" have been denied visas, according to a post on X by the Embassy of Iran in Türkiye.

The Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran described the visa refusals as politically motivated and discriminatory, accusing Washington of extending political disputes into the sporting arena and undermining Iran's right to participate in the tournament on an equal footing.

A US State Department official told multiple media outlets on Saturday that the visas required for Iran's participation in the World Cup, including those for athletes and essential support personnel, had been issued. The official added that the United States would not allow the Iranian team "to abuse this system to sneak terrorists into the United States under false pretenses," according to The Guardian.

Amid the visa dispute, FIFA previously approved Iran's request to relocate its World Cup base camp to Tijuana, Mexico.