Iran qualify for 2026 World Cup amid potential Trump travel ban

The Guardian -March26th2025

Alexander Abnos

Iran have become the sixth team to qualify for the 2026 World Cup thanks to their 2-2 draw with Uzbekistan at the Azadi Stadium in Tehran on Tuesday. Iran join Japan and New Zealand as the first countries to have punched their ticket via the usual qualification process, while co-hosts United States, Mexico and Canada qualified automatically.

Internazionale striker Mehdi Taremi was largely to thank for Team Melli’s accomplishment on Tuesday, scoring both goals in an otherwise sloppy performance from Iran. The Iranian defense let in two soft goals from Uzbekistan, who will secure their first-ever World Cup finals place with a victory in either of their two remaining qualifiers.

Tuesday’s result means Iran are guaranteed to finish in the top two of Group A in the third qualifying of AFC qualifying, earning them passage to the team’s fourth World Cup finals in a row, and seventh in their history. It stands as a major accomplishment for Iran, even as qualifying from Asia has been made easier thanks to the World Cup’s newly expanded, 48-team format.

However, the country’s current relations with the United States, which will be host the bulk of the tournament’s games, could make it hard, if not impossible for Iran’s fans and potentially even players and staff, to travel to the country for the games.

In a recent memo, the issuing of which was reported by Reuters, Iran was listed among 41 countries that would face partial or complete bans on citizens entering the United States by the Donald Trump administration. Iran specifically is listed among a group of 10 countries, including Afghanistan, Syria, Cuba and North Korea, that would be set for a full visa suspension.

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https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/mar/25/iran-world-cup-2026-visa-issues