Iran's football team has been granted visas to enter the US for the World Cup, US officials confirmed. The approval came just 10 days before the team's opening fixture against New Zealand on June 15 in Los Angeles. This marks the first time in history that a host nation will receive the team of a country it is at war with, creating unprecedented geopolitical tensions around the sporting event.

The US emphasized they won't allow Iran to "sneak terrorists into the United States under false pretenses." Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated Iran's delegation could not include individuals linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guards, a powerful branch of the Iranian armed forces. Several Iranian squad members have completed mandatory military service with this group.

Recent reports had suggested some Iranian technical and administrative staff hadn't received visas, but US officials confirmed all necessary visas have been issued. The FIFA World Cup 2026 kicks off on June 11 across the US, Canada and Mexico. The Iranian football federation has not yet publicly commented on the visa approvals, leaving questions about team preparations.