The dream of many Iranians to attend the World Cup 2026 It collapsed before it started. The football federation of that country indicated that The United States may not grant visas to players from that team, nor to fans.
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The 2026 World Cup draw determined that the Iran national team play its three group games in the cities of Los Angeles and Seattle. This represents a problem since It is among the nations with an immigration veto of the Donald Trump administration. This would not only complicate the presence of fans from that country, but also its footballers.
The draw for the 2026 World Cup determined that the Iranian National Team will play its three group matches in the cities of Los Angeles and Seattle. (Reuters)
This was admitted by the president of the Iranian Football Federation, Mahdi Taj, who was denied a visa to attend the World Cup draw: “Iranians residing in the country will probably not receive visas to attend the matches that the team plays in the United States.”
Furthermore, the leader admitted that it is possible that the United States will not grant visas to certain players who have done their military service in bodies not endorsed by them, in a clear reference to the Revolutionary Guard, designated by Washington as a terrorist organization since 2019.
“If for some reason a player is told he cannot attend, we must have a substitute ready. Those who have completed military service in places that are not officially recognized could face problems,” said the top Iranian football leader.
The Soccer Federation of that country indicated that the United States may not grant VISA to players of that team, nor to fans. REUTERS/Ibraheem Al Omari
Military service in Iran is mandatory for all men upon turning 18, and each person serves it randomly in the Army or the Revolutionary Guard.
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The United States did not grant visas to the players of the Iranian polo team to participate in the World Cup, which was held in Virginia last October.
Tehran and Washington have maintained an intense rivalry since 1979the year of the triumph of the Islamic Revolution, which reached one of its most tense points last June, when Washington bombed three Iranian nuclear facilities in the middle of the war between Israel and the Persian country.
Iran is among the nations with an immigration veto by the Donald Trump administration. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Iran is in Group G of the World Cup along with Belgium, Egypt and New Zealandand the fans believe that history can be made and advance to the knockout phase of the World Cup for the first time. However, it is unlikely that they will be able to be at the World Cup to support their country.
