The 2026 North America World Cup, billed under the slogan "unity and inclusion," has drawn a wave of complaints over strict entry restrictions imposed by one of its host nations.
Iran's football federation plans to file a formal complaint with FIFA, alleging that excessive US government controls have disrupted its match preparations as the team travels between its base camp in Tijuana, Mexico, and match venues in Los Angeles, AFP reported Saturday.
Iran was stripped of its planned training base in Arizona just before the tournament opened and pushed to the Mexican border city of Tijuana amid tensions in US-Middle East relations. The arrangement has forced the team into an unprecedented cross-border commute unlike anything seen in World Cup history.
The US government has allowed Iran's delegation to enter the country only on the day before each match and ordered them to leave American soil the same night the game ends.
The federation requested entry two days before Sunday's match against Belgium to allow time for acclimatization and final training, but the request was denied.
In response, an Iranian team spokesperson warned of a formal FIFA complaint, saying the technical staff's plans were being "repeatedly obstructed."
The same restrictions applied during Iran's match against New Zealand, when the delegation was required to leave Los Angeles the same night the game ended. Andrew Giuliani, executive director of the White House's FIFA task force, stood firm, saying the team had been informed in advance that entry would be permitted only on the day before each match.
The problem extends beyond player visas to operational staff credentials. Of 15 Iranian officials who reapplied for visas from Mexico, only four received approval. Six others — including Football Federation of the Islamic Republic of Iran president Mehdi Taj — were denied.
Iran's group-stage rival Iraq has faced similar difficulties. Vice captain Ayman Hussein, who helped lead Iraq to its first World Cup in 40 years, was held for seven hours at Chicago O'Hare International Airport. The team's official photographer, who accompanied him, was ultimately denied entry and sent home alone.
Visa troubles have also ensnared one of the tournament's breakout stories: Cape Verde, the African nation that held powerhouse Spain to a 0-0 draw. Veteran goalkeeper Vozinha revealed after the match that his mother could not attend because of the cost of obtaining a visa. Cape Verde is on the US list of countries deemed at high risk for visa overstays, meaning ordinary citizens seeking a tourist visa must deposit up to $15,000 (about 23 million won) as a guarantee. The Department of State waived the deposit requirement for immediate family members of World Cup players, but Vozinha's mother was unable to apply at all due to a passport renewal issue.
Once the story became public, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries called Secretary of State Marco Rubio directly to resolve the situation. Vozinha's mother ultimately received her visa in time for Cape Verde's match against Uruguay and reunited with her son in Miami.
The scrutiny has not spared even FIFA-certified referees.
Omar Abdulkadir Artan, a Somali national who arrived at Miami International Airport carrying a diplomatic passport and a valid visa, was denied entry after 11 hours of questioning and immediately deported.
US Customs and Border Protection said only that he had been found "inadmissible due to background check issues." A subsequent administration official said he was linked to "individuals suspected of ties to terrorist organizations." Somalia is among the 39 countries subject to travel restrictions under the Donald Trump administration.
Artan had been set to become the 2025 African Referee of the Year and the first Somali national to officiate at a World Cup. He returned home to a hero's welcome, greeted by thousands of supporters.
FIFA promptly removed him from its referee list but drew a clear line, stating it "does not intervene in immigration procedures, including visa screening, as final authority rests with the host government." At the same time, FIFA decided to pay him his full World Cup referee fee.
The impact has spread beyond players, families and officials to fans and journalists. Most supporters from Senegal and Ivory Coast who had planned to travel together to cheer on their national teams were unable to obtain visas, effectively preventing any organized fan presence at their matches.
The Association Internationale de la Presse Sportive filed a formal complaint stating that even journalists holding official FIFA media accreditation have had visas denied or been issued single-entry visas that prevent them from moving freely between the United States, Canada and Mexico. Fans from qualifying nations including Haiti and Senegal have also been caught in backlogs of more than a year for tourist visa processing, rendering tens of thousands of tickets useless.
shee@heraldcorp.com
