FIFA

Iranian football player's US visa expired after one World Cup game, Iran Football Federation says

The Iran Football Federation assured it was taking action to obtain a new visa for the team's winger, Mehdi Torabi, after his visa expired following a match against New Zealand in Los Angeles.

Inglewood, California, USA; New Zealand forward Elijah Just (11) and Iran forward Mohammad Mohebi (8) battle for the ball in the first half during a Group G match in the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Los Angeles Stadium, June 15, 2026.
Protesters against the Iranian regime demonstrate outside Carson Sports Park in Carson, California, US, June 14, 2026.

Iranian Americans plan protests as soccer team prepares for their World Cup opener

FIFA President Gianni Infantino Press Conference - Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, Mexico - June 10, 2026 FIFA President Gianni Infantino with the FIFA World Cup trophy during the press conference.

FIFA plans to organize match between Israel, Palestine during September U-15 tournament - report

Aid agencies intensify efforts to contain the Ebola outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo virus, in Bunia town, Ituri province, Democratic Republic of Congo, June 11, 2026.

Ebola risk for FIFA World Cup is 'extremely low', but US host cities are prepared, experts say


Iranian soccer team arrives in US for FIFA World Cup as the two countries reach a peace deal

The US Iran peace deal is expected to be signed in Switzerland on Friday, with Pakistani and Swiss mediators present.

Soccer Football - World Cup - AFC Qualifiers - Third Round - Group A - Iran v United Arab Emirates - Azadi Sports Complex, Tehran, Iran - March 20, 2025.

Iran's World Cup team gets warm send-off from fans in Tijuana, Mexico

Supporters in Mexico waved Iranian flags and chanted “Team Melli” as Iran’s players departed for their World Cup opener in Los Angeles.

 Iran leave Tijuana hotel ahead of first World Cup match - Tijuana, Mexico - June 14, 2026.

Visa denials and protests shadow FIFA as World Cup kicks off

Iran’s World Cup delegation says FIFA has failed to secure US entry for several officials, with 15 federation members denied visas ahead of the tournament, urging compliance with its rules.

 Team IR Iran Airport Arrival - FIFA World Cup 2026 TIJUANA, MEXICO - JUNE 07: Members of the Iranian national soccer team including midfielder Alireza Jahanbakhsh (R) arrive at Tijuana International Airport on June 7, 2026 in Tijuana, Mexico. The team's World Cup participation has been complicated

FIFA's Infantino says soccer org. 'not kings of world,' US decides who can enter, amid visa scandal

Infantino said FIFA is focused on being a "sports organization" and would not intervene in helping the US determine approvals for entry into the country.

 FIFA President Gianni Infantino Press Conference, 2026 FIFA President Gianni Infantino during the press conference.

Iran threatens to stop World Cup games if faced with unauthorized flags or slogans

Iran’s sports minister has warned FIFA that the team could halt matches if unauthorized flags are displayed or political chants heard in stadiums, raising tensions ahead of the tournament.

Members of Iran's national soccer team attend a farewell ceremony ahead of their departure to the 2026 World Cup in Tehran, Iran, May 13, 2026.

Iran says ticket allocation for World Cup withdrawn days before tournament

Iran's ticket allocation for the World Cup has been pulled just days before football's global showpiece kicks off, leaving fans in the lurch after they had already made plans to attend the matches.

A sculpture of The FIFA World Cup 2026 Adidas Trionda official match ball at Benito Juarez International Airport in Mexico City, Mexico. Mexico City will host the FIFA World Cup 2026, which kicks off on June 11.

'Many' Iranian, African journalists denied visas to cover FIFA World Cup in US - report

Several teams, including Ivory Coast and Tunisia, require multi-entry visas because they have games scheduled in the United States as well as in Canada or Mexico.

A sculpture of The FIFA World Cup 2026 Adidas Trionda official match ball at Benito Juarez International Airport in Mexico City, Mexico. Mexico City will host the FIFA World Cup 2026, which kicks off on June 11.

Iran to play its final World Cup warm-up match behind closed doors, head to Mexico on Saturday

The soccer team, staff, and Iranian citizens can enter the US for the event, but officials with ties to the regime will be barred from attending.

Members of Iran's national soccer team attend a farewell ceremony ahead of their departure to the 2026 World Cup in Tehran, Iran, May 13, 2026.

US bars drone flights over sites of World Cup matches

The US Federal Aviation Administration said that drone operators who enter restricted airspace without approval can face fines of up to $100,000.

A DJI Matrice 350 RTK, operated by NJ Transit, flies over an Emergency Response Drill and training exercise at the NJ Transit Meadowlands Rail Line at MetLife Stadium, ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026, in East Rutherford, New Jersey, US, April 18, 2026.

FIFA and Iran’s identity crisis - opinion

Iranians believe that regimes come and go, but the cultural and historical idea of Iran persists beyond any single political order.

A MAN gestures as people gather at a farewell ceremony for Iran’s national soccer team ahead of their departure to the 2026 World Cup, in Tehran, in May 2026.