Iran Arrives in the U.S. for Its First World Cup Match Amid Tension and Tight Visa Limits

Iran’s national team arrived in the United States for the first time on the eve of its opening World Cup 2026 match, after a months-long standoff shaped by the war and diplomatic tension between Tehran and Washington. The team was forced to move its training camp to Mexico, near the U.S. border, after it was initially barred from entering the country.

Players and staff, but not federation officials, later received temporary U.S. visas valid for only 24 hours from the moment of entry. That means the squad must come into the United States on match day and leave immediately after the game. The team landed in Los Angeles and held an unusual press conference on the day of the match, with the buildup taking place while the peace deal announced by President Donald Trump was being signed.

Midfielder Mehdi Taremi said the atmosphere had been tense for weeks. “I felt the pressure from the moment I arrived at the national team camp. The pressure started long before we landed in the United States,” he said. “Football is supposed to unite nations and cultures. It is about creating joy. These conditions affected our focus, but I tried to make sure the players concentrated on strategy and performance.” Taremi, one of Iran’s biggest stars, is playing in his third World Cup.

Iran plays New Zealand overnight, between Monday and Tuesday at 4:00 a.m., as a heavy favorite. It then faces Belgium on June 21 and Egypt on June 27, in a match set aside for the LGBTQ community, despite objections from both teams. If Iran and the United States both finish second in their groups, they could meet in the next round in a game likely to draw worldwide attention.