The United States has granted visas to the Iranian national football team for the 2026 World Cup, a decision that has prompted the United Kingdom to call for enhanced security measures at the tournament. The move, confirmed by State Department officials on Tuesday, ends weeks of uncertainty over whether Iranian players and staff would be permitted entry amid heightened diplomatic tensions between Washington and Tehran. In response, the UK Home Office issued a statement urging FIFA and host nations to implement stricter background checks and crowd control protocols, citing concerns over potential protests or security incidents.
The Iranian team, which qualified for the tournament in November, is expected to travel to the US in June for group-stage matches. This development marks a rare instance of bilateral cooperation between the US and Iran, though analysts note that the visa issue is largely procedural under international sports agreements. The UK’s call for increased security reflects broader anxieties about the politicisation of global sporting events, a trend that has escalated since the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
FIFA has not yet commented on the British request.
