A senior FIFA council member has broken ranks to criticize the treatment of Iran's national football team at the 2026 World Cup, calling the visa restrictions imposed by the United States a violation of the governing body's sporting principles.
Iran Forced to Base in Mexico
Iran have been forced to set up their base camp in Tijuana, Mexico, despite none of their group matches being hosted there. The team must fly into the United States for each match and leave within hours, adhering to a tight schedule that hampers preparation and recovery.
Several backroom staff members have also been denied visas, echoing issues faced by other nations. Supporters from Senegal and Ivory Coast have faced travel restrictions, and Somali referee Omar Artan was denied entry.
Anonymous FIFA Council Member Speaks Out
“How can Iran be expected to compete under the conditions they have been given, in which they have to come from Mexico and have to leave the United States within hours of playing every match?” an anonymous FIFA council member told the Observer.
“Every team is supposed to compete under the same conditions. How can they prepare properly for the matches they have to play? This is not fair at all. There is no doubt about that.”
The council member added: “This situation is not acceptable. We need to be stronger about these issues. But I understand the political environment in which this World Cup is being organised, which makes things very difficult to manage. It is very difficult to speak openly about these issues.”
Iran Coach and Players Express Frustration
Iran head coach Amir Ghalenoei voiced frustration after his team was ordered to leave immediately following their opening match against New Zealand. “After the game, they said to us ‘You have to leave immediately’, whereas it’s very important for us to have recovery,” he said.
“They are making the situation more and more difficult… We were supposed to arrive two nights before the game but they didn’t permit [it]. Our team is the most oppressed one in the whole World Cup. Our federation is not here, our media is not here, our management isn’t here.”
Star forward Mehdi Taremi described the situation as a “disaster.” He said: “FIFA told us you have to go because it's our preparation. It's supposed to be, as I said, tomorrow morning recovery, then we fly to Tijuana, then return to LA again. But now, right now, we have to go back, and I don't know who, because it's between the federation and FIFA.”
Taremi added: “As you see, our analyser, for example, have come here doing the job of the media, and you know, everything is a disaster, actually, for us. It's not the right thing for us, but we don't follow the excuse, we're just looking forward, we're having hope for the next two games, and we will do our best for our people, and we bring the joy for our supporters.”
