CORRECTION / First Vice President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Football Federation Mehdi Mohammad Nabi talks to journalists before a friendly football match between Iran and Costa Rica, in Antalya, southern Turkey, on March 31, 2026. FIFA's president told AFP that Iran "will be at the World Cup" despite the Middle East war. to third parties, please ensure that the same actions are carried out by them. Failure to promptly comply with these instructions will entail liability on your part for any continued or post notification usage. Therefore we thank you very much for all your attention and prompt action. We are sorry for the inconvenience this notification may cause and remain at your disposal for any further information you may require."

Iranian federation exec expects solution on World Cup visas 'this week'

3 hours ago
ADEM ALTAN / AFP / Getty

Iran will have an answer from US authorities over their World Cup visa applications "this week", their football federation vice-president Mehdi Mohammad Nabi said on Friday.

The Iranian World Cup squad will be based in Mexico during the tournament in North America, but all three of their group stage matches are due to be held in the United States.

The two countries have been at war since the US and Israel began bombing Iran at the end of February, although currently a fragile ceasefire is being observed.

The war has led to uncertainty over whether or not Iran's footballers would receive visas to play at the tournament in the US.

"We have sent an email to the FIFA asking about the status of the visas... and FIFA replied to us that the results would be communicated this week," Nabi said through an interpreter after Iran beat Gambia 3-1 in a World Cup warm-up match in Turkey.

Iran will play another friendly against Mali in Antalya next Thursday and begin their World Cup campaign against New Zealand on June 16 in Los Angeles.

They will play further group matches against Belgium, also in LA, and Egypt in Seattle.

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