Iran’s national football team has been granted visas to enter the United States for the upcoming FIFA World Cup, the US Ambassador to Turkey, Tom Barrack, confirmed in a post on X on Friday.
Barrack praised the efforts of staff at the U.S. Embassy in Ankara, noting that they had successfully processed visas for members of the Iranian squad ahead of the tournament.
“Sports transcends borders, and we look forward to welcoming competitors and fans from around the world,” he said, responding to reports confirming the visa approvals.
Iran’s squad is expected to travel from Turkey to Spain on Saturday before proceeding to their training base in Mexico, which has also issued visas to the team. Although the team will be based in Mexico during the tournament, all of their group-stage matches are scheduled to be played in the United States.
The arrangement follows logistical adjustments reportedly influenced by strained relations between Tehran and Washington in recent years.
Iran will open their World Cup campaign against New Zealand on June 16 in Los Angeles, before facing Belgium in another Los Angeles fixture and Egypt in Seattle.