IRAN has sharply criticised the United States over alleged visa restrictions affecting members of its World Cup delegation, accusing the tournament host nation of discriminatory treatment that could hinder the country's participation in the world's biggest football competition.
AFP cited today that the dispute emerged after U.S. officials confirmed that visas had been granted to Iranian players, a move intended to reassure concerns about the team's ability to compete at the tournament.
However, Tehran contends that a significant number of essential personnel accompanying the national side have not received the same clearance.
In a strongly worded statement posted on social media, the Iranian Embassy in Turkey challenged comments made by U.S. envoy Tom Barrack, arguing that attention had been focused solely on players while overlooking restrictions affecting key members of the wider delegation.
“Why do you not say that visas were denied to a large portion of the managerial and executive staff, technical advisers, and others who are an integral part of any national football team?” the embassy said.
Iran argued that the issue extends far beyond administrative formalities, maintaining that football teams rely heavily on coaches, analysts, medical personnel, technical experts and management officials to function effectively during major international competitions.
The embassy accused Washington of deliberately targeting members of the Iranian delegation and claimed the latest visa decisions represented an unprecedented escalation in what it described as unequal treatment.
“You have now escalated the deliberate and discriminatory treatment against Iran’s national football team to its highest level,” the statement added.
The controversy threatens to cast a political shadow over preparations for the World Cup, a tournament that traditionally serves as a showcase for international sporting unity but has increasingly become intertwined with broader geopolitical tensions.
Relations between Tehran and Washington have remained strained for decades, and sporting events have frequently become arenas for diplomatic disputes between the two countries.
While Iranian players have reportedly received permission to travel, Tehran's objections centre on the exclusion of support personnel whom it considers essential to the team's operations throughout the competition.
Neither U.S. authorities nor FIFA immediately responded to the latest allegations.
The dispute is likely to intensify scrutiny of how host nations manage visa requirements for competing delegations, particularly when diplomatic tensions intersect with major international sporting events.
For Iran, the issue has become not only a logistical concern but also a matter of national dignity, with officials arguing that a football team cannot be separated from the broader group of professionals responsible for its preparation, welfare and performance on the world stage. - June 6, 2026
