The World Cup is supposed to be the one tournament that makes football’s grandest promise feel real: that the game belongs to everyone. That promise is hard to square with what has happened ahead of the 2026 tournament. Iran’s players eventually received U.S. visas, but Iranian officials and support staff were reported denied entry, even […] The post A World Cup Should Not Be a Border Test appeared first on SoccerNews.
US state department says ‘necessary’ visas issuedPlayers and coaching staff reportedly receive visasIran open World Cup on 15 June v New Zealand in LAA diplomatic war of words has broken out over the US visa status for several members of Iran’s 2026 World Cup delegation with just days to go until the start of the tournament, and on the day the team itself departed to Mexico to open its camp ahead of the competition.Iran have trained and played closed-door matches over the last three weeks in Antalya, Turkey, while diplomats have worked to secure visas for their entry to the United States, where the team will play all three of their group-stage games. Those visas were approved on 5 June for Iran’s players and some staff, but Iranian state media and diplomats reported that same day that several of the team’s support staff have been left out including the Iranian football federation chief Mehdi Taj. Continue reading...
A diplomatic war of words has broken out over the US visa status for several members of Iran’s 2026 World Cup delegation with just days to go until the start of the tournament, and on the day the team itself departed to Mexico to open its camp ahead of the competition. Iran have trained and played closed-door matches over the last three weeks in Antalya, Turkey, while diplomats have worked to secure visas for their entry to the United States, where the team will play all three of their group-stage games. A US state department official issued the same comment Saturday to multiple media outlets, claiming that “the visas necessary for Iran to compete in the World Cup, including for athletes and necessary support staff, have been issued.”
Kick It Out wants equality, diversity and inclusion targetsRegulator decides against after licensing consultationThe Independent Football Regulator (IFR) is poised to reject calls from Kick It Out to take on a greater role in promoting equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) throughout the sport.The IFR has decided, after a second round of consultation over its licensing terms, not to meet Kick It Out’s demands to set EDI targets for clubs and it will not compel them to submit annual reports on the demographic makeup of staff. Continue reading...
