Iran says U.S. denied visas to key WC officials

Article excerpt

Iran's soccer federation accused the United States of "vindictive behavior" after U.S. officials denied visas to key members of its World Cup team ahead of the 2026 tournament. The Iranian federation did not specify how many officials were rejected or name them individually, but characterized the rejections as politically motivated. The U.S. State Department has not yet responded to the accusation. The denial marks another diplomatic friction point between the two nations, which have had tense relations for decades. Both countries are preparing teams for the World Cup, scheduled to be held jointly in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.