Iran criticises US after some World Cup officials denied visas despite clearances

Scenes during the World Cup send-off for Iranian football team. (Photo: APF/X)

By Bashir Mbuthia
Saturday, June 6, 2026

The embassy issued the remarks on Saturday in response to comments by US Ambassador to Türkiye Tom Barrack on Friday, who praised the consulate in Türkiye for processing visas for Iranian players a day earlier.

Iran has criticised the United States for what it described as the failure to issue visas to some members of its 2026 FIFA World Cup delegation, despite players having already been granted the necessary travel documents for the tournament.

The allegation was made by the Iranian Embassy in Türkiye, which said the reported omissions amount to discrimination and constitute a breach of FIFA regulations as well as the United States’ obligations as one of the three host nations for the tournament.

The embassy issued the remarks on Saturday in response to comments by US Ambassador to Türkiye Tom Barrack on Friday, who praised the consulate in Türkiye for processing visas for Iranian players a day earlier.

Latest Stories

“You cannot whitewash conduct that violates FIFA regulations and breaches the United States’ host obligations merely by praising yourselves. Why do you not say that visas were denied to a large portion of the managerial and executive staff, technical advisers, and others who are an integral part of any national football team?” said the Iranian embassy.

“You have now escalated the deliberate and discriminatory treatment against Iran’s national football team to its highest level.”

According to Iran, the US’s actions amount to interference in international sports and have undermined the national team’s ability to participate in the tournament.

“This represents the worst possible form of politically biased interference in sport. FIFA must hold the US accountable for violations of its rules and for the discriminatory treatment of Iran's national football team,” the embassy said.

Iran, drawn in Group G, is scheduled to play three matches in the US. They kick off against New Zealand on June 15 in Los Angeles, meet Belgium on June 21 in the same city and close out the group stage against Egypt on June 26 in Seattle.