Iran's national football team is training in Tijuana under tight security, with less than a week before crossing into the US for the World Cup. A dispute over visas for 13 delegation members and the revocation of ticket allocations for all group games remains unresolved.
The Iranian Football Federation said its entire ticket allocation for matches against New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt was canceled without explanation, prompting a formal protest.
At the FIFA Congress in Vancouver, President Gianni Infantino confirmed Iran would participate, stating, "Of course Iran will be playing in the United States of America." US President Donald Trump separately told Infantino that Iran was "welcome to compete."
The US had previously refused visas to 13 technical and administrative staff. It remains unclear whether players can enter only on match days or a day earlier, as FIFA protocol requires.
The team is based in Tijuana to minimize travel into US territory. They will return there after each match before heading to Inglewood for Belgium and Seattle for Egypt.
Iran's preparation has been disrupted by war, cancelled fixtures, and diplomatic uncertainty. The IRGC's designation as a foreign terrorist organization by the US and Canada has complicated visa processing.
Separately, FIFA-selected Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan was denied entry at Miami airport, five days before the tournament. Artan, named CAF's referee of the year, was told his situation "will not change."