Iran Trains in Mexico Amid U.S. World Cup Border Challenges
Poinews.com – Iran’s football squad is currently based in Tijuana, operating under heightened security and logistical challenges, with just under a week remaining before their cross-border journey into the U.S. for the World Cup opener. The team’s delegation faces unresolved visa issues, affecting 13 members, and their allocated match tickets for all three group games have been revoked without explanation. The Iranian Football Federation has formally protested the decision, which disrupts their preparation for the tournament.
FIFA’s Commitment to Iran’s Participation
At the FIFA Congress in Vancouver earlier this year, President Gianni Infantino emphasized Iran’s place in the 2026 World Cup, stating, “I’m confirming, straight away, for those who want to say something else or write something else, that of course Iran will be participating at the FIFA World Cup 2026. And of course Iran will play in the United States of America.” He also visited Iran’s warm-up match against Costa Rica in Turkey, where he declared, “That’s why we’re here. I’ve seen the team, I’ve spoken to the players and the coach, so everything is fine.”
“I’ve seen the team, I’ve spoken to the players and the coach, so everything is fine.” — Gianni Infantino
Visa Ban and Travel Hurdles
U.S. President Donald Trump’s executive order in June 2025 barred entry for citizens of 12 countries, including Iran and Somalia, creating obstacles for Iran’s technical staff. The country’s sports minister, Ahmad Donyamali, stated Infantino had given him a personal assurance of Iran’s participation. Despite this, the team’s officials remain without clear visa access, forcing them to train in Mexico to avoid U.S. entry delays.
Referee Denied Entry at Miami Airport
A controversial incident unfolded at Miami airport when Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan, 34, was turned away five days before the tournament began. Selected as one of 52 officials for the World Cup, Artan was among seven African referees and had previously officiated at AFCON 2024, including Tunisia’s defeat to Namibia and Mauritania’s upset over Algeria. Somalia’s sports ministry adviser Ciise Aden Abshir criticized the decision, calling it a blow to “football’s commitment to fairness, merit, and the spirit of fair play.”
“This decision harms not only him personally but also undermines football’s commitment to fairness, merit, and the spirit of fair play.” — Ciise Aden Abshir
Logistical Adjustments for the Team
To navigate U.S. border complexities, Iran’s squad has chosen Tijuana as their base, just across the border from San Diego. This location minimizes travel time for matches in Los Angeles, Inglewood, and Seattle. The team is set to arrive in the U.S. a day before their June 15 opener against New Zealand, with head coach Amir Ghalenoei’s press conference scheduled for June 25 at 3:45 pm local time. Their training in Turkey was cut short due to a canceled fixture against Granada, adding to the disruptions caused by the ongoing conflict.
Broader Impacts on the Tournament
The U.S. and Canada’s designation of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a foreign terrorist organization has further complicated visa processing for team officials. Similar issues have affected other delegations, highlighting immigration challenges across the event. U.S. Customs and Border Protection noted that all travelers, including athletes, undergo individual inspections, as seen in the case of Iraq’s star striker Aymen Hussein, who was detained for seven hours at Chicago O’Hare before being allowed entry.
