On June 2, U.S. Foreign Secretary Marco Rubio said there was no disagreement with players or Iranian team coaching, but would closely oversee the country's sports union when entering the country and participating in activities in the United States.

"We don't have a problem with the banjos, as we said, or with the training department. But what we didn't allow was the bringing in of people who weren't directly involved in the team and were involved with IRGC or similar organizations," said Rubio.

Rubio insists that the US will continue to monitor the situation closely, at the same time assuming that this is not a common issue with other countries.

Iranian players photographed before the meeting of Korea at the 2026 World Cup round on the Azadi Field, Tehran, Iran, night 10/6/2025. Image: Reuters

IRGC - Islamic Revolutionary Guard - was an elite military unit of Iran's highest leader, responsible for defending the regime in front of domestic and foreign threats, and at the same time participating in suppressing protests. The organization has been listed by the European Union as a terrorist organization.

IRGC is one of Tehran's most important security forces and has long been controversial in the relationship between Iran and the West.

but moved to Tijuana according to the Iranian NDA proposal due to security concerns, pulling demand for more visas.

The president of the Iranian NCAU Mehdi Taj said the team expected to receive their Mexican visa this week, and the American visa would be granted shortly thereafter. Iran plans to compete for two World Cup tournaments 2026 in Inglewood, California: Meet New Zealand on June 15, and meet Belgium six days later. The final round to Egypt will take place on June 26, Seattle.

Members of Iran's national football team attended the departure ceremony before leaving for the 2026 World Cup in Tehran on January 13, 2026. Image: Reuters*

Iran's ability to attend the 2026 World Cup was once questioned, after the country suffered the attacks of the U.S. and Israel from 28/2, triggers the area's escalation tension. Despite the appearance of information on several peace proposals, tensions have not yet slowed down, FIFA repeatedly asserts that Iran will be granted the right to attend the tournament.

The issue of visa continues to be a sensitive point to the Iranian team. In April 2026, Chairman Mehdi Taj was once cancelled by Canada due to prior immigration visas with IRGC - the force had been included in Canada and the US's list of terrorist organizations.

Additionally, according to Iranian media, professional football operations in the country have been interrupted since the outbreak of the conflict, causing the team to train in the city of Antalya (Transian) over the time.

The Games - World Cup Result 2026

Tuesday, June 16, 2026

Iran transferred the World Cup training camp from the US

Instead of eating and practicing in the US, the Iranians decided to move to Mexico when they attended the 2026 World Cup.

Thousands of Iranians sent out the team for the 2026 World Cup.

At night 13/5, thousands of CVs were present at Enqelab Square, the capital of Tehran, to witness the departure of CarpenterQG in front of the 2026 World Cup.

Italy is 'inducted' by the proposal to replace Iran for the 2026 World Cup

Italian sports officials claimed that the home team had to win tickets by the performance on the lawn, and consider Iran's alternative to the 2026 World Cup as inappropriate.

Iran bans sports teams to countries 'enemies'

The Iranian Sports Department issued a ban on sports teams moving to countries considered "enemies", just before the Battle of Tractor Sazi met the UAE's ESU Al Ahli Club in Saudi Arabia.

The Iranian star was removed from the team for taking photos with the Dubai leader

In the context of increased military tensions between Iran and UAE, the former Sardar Azmun faced many severe forms of discipline for posting photos with the Sultan of Dubai over a year ago.

Iran boycotted America but still attended the World Cup

The president of the Iranian NDA (FFIRI) Mehdi Taj asserts that the country's team still attends the 2026 World Cup but does not want to compete in the U.S., making the competition possible disturbance.