Key facts
- Iran's World Cup team supervisor Mahdi Mohammad Nabi criticized FIFA President Gianni Infantino over denied U.S. visas for 15 Iranian soccer federation members.
- Nabi stated the visa issues caused a 'lack of coordination' and disrupted the team's preparation for the tournament.
- The U.S. State Department cited preventing 'terrorists' from entering the U.S. as the reason for visa rejections.
- Jibril Rajoub, head of the Palestinian Football Association, was also denied a U.S. visa to attend the World Cup.
- The U.S. has denied visas to Iranian and African journalists and a FIFA referee, citing security concerns.
Iran's World Cup team supervisor, Mahdi Mohammad Nabi, has criticized FIFA President Gianni Infantino for failing to secure U.S. visas for 15 members of the Iranian soccer federation, calling it a 'lack of coordination' that disrupted the team's preparation. Nabi spoke after Infantino had celebrated Iran's participation as a success in navigating political issues.
The U.S. State Department stated that visas were rejected to prevent the Iranian team from 'abusing this system to sneak terrorists into the U.S.'. The U.S. has also denied visas to Iranian and African journalists covering the World Cup and denied entry to a Somali FIFA referee, citing alleged links to terror organizations.
This situation contrasts with previous World Cups, such as Russia's 2018 tournament, which implemented a visa-free system for ticket holders. Iran player Saeid Ezzatollahi noted that while players accepted families could not attend due to restrictions, FIFA had promised staff visas. Jibril Rajoub, head of the Palestinian Football Association, was also denied a U.S. visa for the World Cup, which he described as unfair.
President Donald Trump will not attend the U.S. team's opening match due to a scheduling conflict and a White House event for his 80th birthday.