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The fate of Iran’s national football team at the 2026 FIFA World Cup remains uncertain.

As the team prepares for its opening group-stage match, the United States visas required for Iranian players and officials to enter the host nation have not yet been issued.

Team Melli is scheduled to play its first match against New Zealand on June 15 in Los Angeles.

Following that, Iran will face Belgium on June 21 in the same city before concluding the group stage against Egypt in Seattle on June 26.

The US visa is an official document required for foreign nationals to enter American territory.

Without it, Iran could face major obstacles in participating in matches held in the United States.

Mexico Visa Issued, US Visa Still Pending

Amid these concerns, Iran has at least secured visas for its training camp in Mexico.

According to Iranian sports outlet Varzesh 3, the visa documents for the Iranian delegation have been sent to the Iranian Embassy in Ankara, Turkey.

Prior to that, players and staff had also completed their visa interviews in Ankara.

The visa issue prompted the Iranian Football Federation to relocate the team’s base from Tucson, Arizona, to Tijuana, Mexico.

This change came amid heightened political tensions between Iran and the United States, which had raised doubts about Iran’s participation in the 2026 World Cup.

However, Iranian Football Federation President Mehdi Taj expressed optimism about the decision.

“We are not there to defend local conditions or to fix and guide society,” Taj stated.

US to Monitor Iranian Delegation Closely

Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that the American government would maintain strict oversight of the Iranian delegation entering the country during the World Cup.

Washington made it clear that individuals linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) would not be allowed to use sports delegation status to gain entry into the United States.

Nevertheless, Rubio assured that the official players and staff of Iran’s national team would not be targeted by these restrictions.

Sardar Azmoun Left Out of Squad

Amid the visa controversy, Iran also made headlines after excluding veteran striker Sardar Azmoun from its 2026 World Cup squad.

The 31-year-old forward, who plays for Shabab Al-Ahli in the United Arab Emirates, was reportedly dropped from the list following actions deemed inconsistent with the Iranian government’s stance.

The controversy arose after Azmoun posted a photo with Dubai’s ruler and UAE Prime Minister, Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, in March.

The post came at a time of heightened tensions between Iran, the United States, and Israel. Although no official reason for his omission was provided, several reports indicated that the photo caused dissatisfaction among Iranian authorities.

Azmoun is considered one of Iran’s living football legends, having scored 57 goals in 91 appearances for Team Melli, making him the nation’s third-highest all-time scorer.

However, head coach Amir Ghalenoei decided not to include him in the final 2026 World Cup squad.

Taremi and Jahanbakhsh to Lead the Attack

With Azmoun’s absence, Iran’s attacking responsibility now falls heavily on Mehdi Taremi, who plays for Olympiakos.

Additionally, Alireza Jahanbakhsh, currently with Belgian side Dender EH, is also among those selected for the tournament.

Iran has been drawn into Group G alongside New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt. Although FIFA has confirmed Team Melli’s participation in the 2026 World Cup, the pending US visa process remains a critical concern.

As the opening match approaches, Iran’s fate depends not only on its on-field preparations but also on the smooth completion of administrative procedures that will determine its path to football’s biggest stage.

Iran’s Squad for the 2026 World Cup

Goalkeepers:

Alireza Beiranvand

Payam Niazmand

Hossein Hosseini

Defenders:

Ehsan Hajsafi

Milad Mohammadi

Ali Nemati

Shojae Khalilzadeh

Hossein Kanaanizadegan

Danial Eiri

Ramin Rezaeian

Saleh Hardani

Midfielders:

Saman Ghoddos

Saeid Ezatolahi

Mohammad Ghorbani

Rouzbeh Cheshmi

Amirmohammad Razzaghinia

Mohammad Mohebi

Mehdi Torabi

Mehdi Ghayedi

Alireza Jahanbakhsh

Aria Yousefi

Forwards:

Mehdi Taremi

Amirhossein Hosseinzadeh

Ali Alipour

Shahriyar Moghanlou

Dennis Eckert

Azmoun’s exclusion stands as one of the biggest surprises in Iran’s 2026 World Cup squad. Given his experience and goal-scoring record, the striker’s omission is expected to remain a major talking point as the tournament approaches.