US officials have confirmed that Iran's football team has been granted the visas required to enter the United States and participate in the FIFA World Cup 2026.

The approval comes with just 10 days remaining before Iran's opening match — a group-stage fixture against New Zealand scheduled for 15 June in Los Angeles.

"The visas necessary for Iran to compete in the World Cup, including for athletes and necessary support staff, have been issued," officials stated, while also making clear that the US would not permit Iran to "abuse this system to sneak terrorists into the United States under false pretenses."

The Iranian football federation had not issued a public statement on the visa approvals at the time of reporting.

Months of uncertainty

The confirmation brings an end to weeks of diplomatic tension surrounding the team's participation. In late May, Iran relocated its pre-tournament training base from Tucson, Arizona, to Mexico — a move that Mehdi Taj, president of Iran's soccer federation, attributed to ongoing visa difficulties.

As recently as last Friday, Iran's state-aligned Fars news agency reported that several members of the team's technical and administrative staff had still not received clearance to enter the US.

Earlier this week, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told lawmakers that Iran's football delegation would be barred from including any individuals linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guards, a powerful branch of the Iranian armed forces. Several players in Iran's squad have completed mandatory military service with the organisation.

A historic and politically charged tournament

The FIFA World Cup 2026 kicks off on 11 June and will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. It will mark the first time in the competition's history that a host nation has welcomed the national team of a country it considers itself to be in a state of conflict with — underscoring the extraordinary geopolitical backdrop to this summer's tournament.