US Soccer President Dismisses Rumors of Visa Issues for Iran’s Team Melli at FIFA World Cup 2026

Since Team Melli’s early qualification for the FIFA World Cup 2026, speculation has been swirling about potential political interference in the team’s participation. A particularly controversial rumor suggests that US President Donald Trump might refuse to grant entry visas to the Iranian squad unless Iran agrees to US-imposed conditions in nuclear negotiations.

While such a move would not be unprecedented given past diplomatic tensions between the two nations, the US Soccer Federation appears determined to separate politics from the game. Cindy Parlow Cone, the President of US Soccer, has taken a firm stance against these rumors. In a message to Mehdi Taj, the President of the Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI), she congratulated Team Melli on their qualification and extended a warm welcome to the Iranian team, emphasizing that the US is committed to hosting an inclusive and fair tournament.

Iran’s relationship with the FIFA World Cup has had its share of political hurdles. The last time the tournament was held in the United States, in 1994, Iran was absent after failing to qualify. However, when the two nations faced off in the 1998 World Cup in France, the match became one of the most politically charged games in World Cup history. Despite the tension, both teams exchanged flowers and took a joint team photo in a rare moment of sports diplomacy.

With World Cup 2026 set to take place across the US, Canada, and Mexico, Iran’s qualification marks an opportunity for football to transcend politics once again. While international relations remain complex, the words of US Soccer’s leadership suggest that Team Melli will be welcomed on sporting merit rather than diplomatic terms. For now, Iranian fans can focus on the tournament ahead, hoping their team will make history on North American soil.