Iran are still waiting for visa clearance for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, according to football federation chief Mehdi Taj.
Taj said on Thursday that no visas had been issued yet for the national team.
“Tomorrow or the day after tomorrow, we will have a decisive meeting with FIFA. They must give us guarantees, because the visa issue has still not been resolved,” Taj said, according to IRNA.
“We have not received any account from the other side regarding who has been granted visas. No visas have been issued yet.”
Iran have already qualified for the World Cup, but uncertainty remains over travel arrangements.
Taj said players are expected to go to Ankara, the capital of Turkey, for fingerprinting as part of the visa process.
“The players must travel to Ankara for fingerprinting, but we are trying to arrange for this to be done in Antalya so there will be no need to travel to Ankara.” The issue comes during tense political conditions.
Iran has been in conflict with the United States and Israel since February 28, although a fragile ceasefire has been in place since April 8.
Iran and the United States have also had no formal diplomatic relations since 1980 after the US embassy hostage crisis following Iran’s Islamic Revolution.
Despite the visa uncertainty, Iran held a send-off ceremony on Wednesday before leaving for the tournament.
Team Melli will stay in Tucson, Arizona during the World Cup. Iran begin their campaign against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15.
They will then face Belgium and Egypt in Group G.
