Iran Demands Multiple-Entry US Visas for World Cup Squad as Tijuana Base Camp Situation Escalates — No Visas Issued

Iran Football Federation president Mehdi Taj stated on May 28 that the United States must issue multiple-entry visas to the entire Iranian World Cup delegation — players, coaching staff, and medical personnel — because the team will need to cross the US-Mexico border multiple times from their Tijuana, Mexico base camp to attend matches in Los Angeles and Seattle. As of May 28, not a single visa had been issued to any Iranian delegation member despite FIFA president Gianni Infantino's earlier pledge that all players would be able to participate. Iran's group schedule requires at minimum six border crossings: to SoFi Stadium (Inglewood) for June 15 (vs New Zealand) and June 21 (vs Belgium), and to Lumen Field (Seattle) for June 26 (vs Egypt), plus returns. The State Department has not publicly confirmed whether or when multi-entry visas will be issued. FIFA has confirmed the group schedule will not change. The situation represents a legal and logistical flashpoint: Iran's players cannot legally enter the US without visas, yet FIFA insists they will play on US soil. Iran's warm-up friendly vs The Gambia is scheduled for May 29 in Antalya, Turkey — still 14 days from the June 11 tournament opener at Estadio Azteca.