ANTALYA, Turkey — The Iranian soccer federation has claimed that the United States is exhibiting “vindictive behavior” after key members of its World Cup team were reportedly denied visas.
According to Iranian state television, among those without U.S. visas are Hedayat Mombeini, the federation’s secretary-general, and Mehdi Mohammad Nabi, its vice president, along with 12 other officials and staff members.
It remains uncertain whether Mehdi Taj, the federation’s president, has received a visa.
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On Saturday, Iran’s team departed from Turkey for a training camp in Mexico ahead of their three group matches in the United States later this month. The officials whose visas were denied were supposed to travel to Mexico as efforts to obtain visas continue, reported Iranian news agency Tasnim.
The team’s preparation for the World Cup has been complicated by the ongoing conflict in Iran. Earlier visa processing issues led Iran to shift its training location from Tucson, Arizona, to Tijuana, Mexico, which is adjacent to California.
The visa denials for some of Iran’s team members were described by the federation as a denial of a fair competitive environment free from discrimination, with plans to escalate the issue to FIFA, the governing body of world soccer.
Additionally, the Iranian Embassy in Ankara addressed a prior social media message from U.S. Ambassador Tom Barrack, who commended his staff for facilitating the Iran team’s visa applications. The embassy’s response criticized the U.S. for actions it claims violate FIFA rules and the obligations of the U.S. as a host nation, labeling it a severe form of politically biased interference in sports.
On Friday, a U.S. official confirmed to ABC News that all players from the Iranian team have been granted visas. Reports from the Associated Press indicated that while visas were approved for players, coaches, and certain support staff, some requests were denied due to applicants providing misleading information.
The officials spoke anonymously as they were not authorized to publicly discuss the visa matters.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio mentioned in a House Appropriations subcommittee hearing that the Iranian delegation would be closely monitored for possible links to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. He stated, “We have no issues with the athletes or their support staff, but we will not allow individuals with connections to the IRGC to be part of their delegation.”
The Iranian squad is currently in Antalya for its World Cup preparations, claiming that it has already acquired visas from the Mexican Embassy in Ankara.
Dressed in blue blazers over white T-shirts, the players departed the luxurious Mardan Palace hotel in Antalya on Saturday afternoon, boarding a private jet for their direct flight to Mexico.
Iran’s first two matches will take place in Inglewood, California, against New Zealand on June 15 and Belgium six days later, before heading to Seattle to compete against Egypt on June 26. If both Iran and the U.S. finish second in their respective groups, they may meet in the round of 32 on July 3 in Arlington, Texas.
In March, U.S. President Donald Trump had expressed reluctance about Iran participating in the tournament, citing concerns about the players’ safety. The following day, Iran’s national team asserted that “no one can exclude” them from the competition.
Iran finalized its team selection on Monday, including 17 home-based players whose club activities have been suspended since February due to the war. Star forward Sardar Azmoun was reportedly omitted in March after a social media post provoked ire from Iranian authorities amid the ongoing conflict.
The Iranian sports minister had suggested in March that participation in the World Cup might not be feasible, but the soccer federation announced in May its intent to proceed with the event, insisting that all players and staff, including those with military connections to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, receive visas.
Information from The Associated Press was utilized in this report.