Host obliged to follow FIFA guidelines, says Team Melli manager amid US visa denials

The United States is obligated to adhere to FIFA regulations regarding the issuance of visas, Iranian national team manager Mehdi Mohammadnabi said, as ongoing visa denials disrupt Team Melli's preparations for the 2026 World Cup.

Speaking on the sidelines of the team’s training camp in Mexico, Nabi criticized the logistical hurdles placed on the Iranian squad, the Iranian Football Federation's website reported on Friday.

While players have received their travel documents, Washington has denied visas to crucial support staff and football federation officials. This has created an unequal environment for the Iranian team ahead of international football's premier tournament.

"Football rules and FIFA regulations have dos and don'ts, and member federations are obliged to implement them," Nabi said. "The same applies to visas."

He questioned who bears responsibility for the unissued visas, noting that according to regulations, implementing these protocols falls on the host country.

Iran relocated its base camp from Tucson, Arizona, to Tijuana, Mexico, partly to minimize time spent on American soil.

"This long visa issuance process caused our hosting to be moved from another city to Tijuana, and practically disrupted the process of our players adapting to the tournament conditions," Nabi explained.

With only days remaining before Iran's opening match against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15, key personnel remain stranded.

Nabi noted that no new visas have been issued recently. Essential figures, including those in media, executive, and management roles, are still in limbo.

Having experienced several World Cups, Nabi said this is the first time he has witnessed such disorganization. He called for fair treatment from FIFA and the host nation.

Veteran midfielder Saeid Ezatollahi, preparing for his third World Cup, echoed the frustration.

"The events that have occurred regarding the issuance of visas for our team members are very surprising to me," Ezatollahi said.

He explained that while the players accepted their families could not attend and respect the host country's laws, the absence of key staff is a different matter.

"It is unacceptable that some key members of the team cannot be with us," he said, highlighting the vital roles of the team manager, executive director, and media personnel.

Ezatollahi added that while he cannot judge FIFA's behind-the-scenes efforts, the players expect the governing body to resolve the issue before their first match.

The visa restrictions highlight the politicization of the tournament. The United States has imposed strict conditions on the Iranian delegation, effectively limiting their presence on US soil to match days only.

According to Iran’s Ambassador to Mexico, Abolfazl Pasandideh, the team must enter the United States in the morning and leave the same day. Iran will play all three group-stage matches on the US West Coast.

The issue has drawn wider attention because it comes only months after the joint US-Israeli aggression against Iran, which disrupted domestic football activities and forced many Iranian players to train under difficult conditions.

Iran’s professional football league was suspended in the aftermath of the attacks, while national team camps were relocated to Turkey and later Mexico.

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