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United States bars Iranian football chief from World Cup

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LOS ANGELES, United States – The 2026 World Cup group stage match between Iran and Belgium at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles ended in a 0-0 draw on Sunday, June 21, 2026, with Iranian goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand producing a notable left-handed save in the 59th minute. The on-field action, however, was eclipsed by a dispute over travel restrictions affecting the Iranian delegation. U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin told Fox News that Mehdi Taj, president of the Iranian Football Federation, attempted to board Iran’s charter flight from Tijuana, Mexico, to Los Angeles on Saturday despite having been denied a U.S. visa for the tournament. LOS ANGELES, United States – Mullin said U.S. authorities approved travel for only 53 members of the Iranian World Cup delegation, compared with the roughly 120 people that most participating teams were allowed, and he stated that those denied visas, including Taj and several technical staff members, were excluded because of alleged links to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which Washington designates as a terrorist organization. The Iranian Football Federation issued an official statement rejecting Mullin’s allegations as fake, calling them an outright and undeniable lie, and insisting that his remarks were completely unsupported by any evidence or documentation.

Prepared by Emily Rhodes and reviewed by editorial team.

Timeline of Events

Earlier in 2026, U.S. reviews tournament visa applications
Prior to June 2026, Mehdi Taj visa reportedly denied
Saturday, June 20, 2026, Taj attempts charter flight boarding
Saturday, June 20, 2026, U.S. restricts larger Iranian delegation
Sunday, June 21, 2026, Iran draws Belgium goalless
Sunday, June 21, 2026, Mullin details visa dispute publicly
Sunday, June 21, 2026, Iran federation issues denial statement

Why This Matters to You

This incident highlights the ongoing tension between the U.S. and Iran. It's a reminder that political disputes can spill into sports, affecting the World Cup experience. If you're a soccer fan, this could impact how you view the tournament.

The Bottom Line

The U.S. has restricted the Iranian football delegation due to alleged links to terrorism. Iran denies these claims. This dispute has overshadowed the on-field action at the World Cup. Keep an eye on how this develops. It's worth forwarding if you know a soccer fan who'd appreciate the update.