The Iran football team has been granted visas to enter the United States for the World Cup, resolving a tense last-minute diplomatic standoff. The decision, confirmed late on Wednesday by the US State Department, allows the squad to travel to Qatar via US soil, where they are scheduled to play their opening match against England on 21 November.
The visas had been delayed for weeks, sparking fears among players and officials that Iran would be unable to compete. The team, comprised of 25 players and coaching staff, had been stuck in a bureaucratic limbo, with many applicants facing additional security checks. Reports suggested that some applicants were required to attend in-person interviews at US embassies in third countries, a costly and time-consuming process.
Under international law, the United States is obligated to grant visas to all participants in the World Cup, which it is co-hosting with Canada and Mexico. However, Washington has maintained strict sanctions against Iran, and the process has often been fraught with political complications. The breakthrough came after a series of high-level phone calls between Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and his US counterpart, Antony Blinken, according to Iranian state media.
“We are relieved that common sense has prevailed,” said Mehdi Taj, head of the Iran Football Federation. “Our players have trained hard for this moment, and they deserve the chance to showcase their talents on the world’s biggest stage.”
The granting of visas is seen as a rare instance of cooperation between the two countries, which have no formal diplomatic relations. It also avoids what would have been a major embarrassment for FIFA, the world governing body for football, which had pressured the US to resolve the issue.
“Football should always be a bridge, not a barrier,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino in a statement. “We thank the authorities in the United States for their constructive approach, and we wish the Iranian team all the best in the tournament.”
For the Iranian players, news of the visas was met with mixed emotions. “I’m overjoyed that we can finally go,” said captain Ehsan Hajsafi. “But I also feel the weight of our people who are suffering at home. We will play for them.”
The team is scheduled to depart Tehran on Friday for Doha, where they will complete their final preparations before the tournament. Their first match against England is expected to attract global attention, not only for the football but also for the political symbolism of the occasion.
