Iran return to Mexico after US denies overnight stay

2026-06-17

Iran return to Mexico after match

【Mexico City=Tomohiro Ichihara】Iran's national football team, which had completed its opening match in the North and Central America World Cup, returned to Mexico, its camp base, on an overnight flight in the early hours of the 16th. The US administration had not allowed the team to stay overnight after the match.

Iran faced New Zealand in Los Angeles on the 15th and drew 2-2. According to Reuters, coach Ghalenoei said after the match that US authorities had not permitted the squad to stay overnight, adding, 'Our team is the most oppressed at the World Cup.' The squad is believed to have gone straight to the airport after the game.

Criticism of FIFA over double standards

The International Football Federation (FIFA) has taken a stance against bringing political claims into sport, including ordering Haiti to change its uniform after it featured an illustration of the War of Independence. On the other hand, it endorsed the US refusal of overnight accommodation for hostile nation Iran, highlighting its weak response.

Just before the tournament, Iran returned to its camp in Tijuana, Mexico's Baja California state in the northwest, after changing from a base in the US. In its next match on the 21st, it will again enter Los Angeles for the minimum possible stay to face Belgium. Its third match against Egypt is also scheduled in Seattle, US.

The Trump administration dragged its feet until the last minute over issuing visas to Iran's World Cup players and refused entry to some officials. It also denied entry to officials from Iraq and referees from Somalia, maintaining a hardline stance on grounds of immigration concerns.

Whether entry is permitted is each country's sovereign decision, but FIFA has included in its contracts with World Cup hosts a clause requiring visas to be issued without discrimination to players, officials, media and fans. At the previous tournament in Qatar, it also arranged for supporters and media from Israel, which had no diplomatic ties with Qatar, to be allowed entry under special exemptions.

Hard line outside the US

While FIFA endorsed the US political decision, it has not softened its traditionally tough stance toward countries other than the US. It also rejected Iran's proposal to move its match venue from the US to Mexico, fearing backlash from the US.

Four years ago, in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, it immediately imposed an indefinite ban on participation in international tournaments.

According to social media posts from Middle East media, FIFA President Infantino visited Iran's locker room and encouraged the team, saying, 'I understand you are going through a difficult time. You are stronger than any hardship. You are sending a strong message to the world.'

Meanwhile, former FIFA President Blatter wrote on X, formerly Twitter, that 'the host nation has an obligation to guarantee unrestricted entry to all teams that qualify,' criticizing the current leadership's response.

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