Iran’s World Cup 2026 squad have been told to leave America within 24 hours when they play their three group games after Donald Trump’s safety warning
Iran’s World Cup squad has been instructed to enter and exit America on the same day for their matches, according to the country’s ambassador to Mexico.
The ongoing tensions between the two nations, stemming from Middle East conflicts, have raised concerns in the lead-up to the tournament. Now, a stringent schedule has been enforced on the team for their group stage games, all of which are set to take place on American soil. Iran’s envoy Abolfazl Pasandideh told journalists: “We can enter in the morning and we must leave the same day.”
Iran’s three group stage fixtures begin with a match against New Zealand in Los Angeles. Six days later, they’re back in California to face Belgium before wrapping up their group campaign against Egypt in Seattle – with potential further matches if they progress to the knockout stages.
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Instead of their planned base in Tucson, Arizona, Iran are now stationed in Mexico. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum stated: “We have no reason to deny them the possibility of staying in Mexico.
“The United States does not want the Iranian team to stay overnight, but they are going to play three matches there. So they asked us: ‘Can they stay overnight in Mexico?’ And we said: ‘Yes, no problem.’ We have no problem.”
Iran had previously attempted to have their matches relocated to Mexico, but FIFA dismissed the idea.
Former US president Donald Trump previously cast doubt on the team’s safety once they arrive in America, stating: “The Iran national soccer team is welcome to the World Cup, but I really don’t believe it is appropriate that they be there, for their own life and safety.”
While the US has recently granted visas for Iran’s players and some staff, Iranian state media and diplomats have reported that several members of the team’s support staff, including the Iranian football federation chief Mehdi Taj, have been excluded.
A US State Department official confirmed that “the visas necessary for Iran to compete in the World Cup, including for athletes and necessary support staff, have been issued.” The official went on to say: “We will not allow the Iranian team to abuse this system to sneak terrorists into the United States under false pretences.”