Iran Star Ehsan Hajsafi Questions FIFA Over Visa Delays as World Cup Preparations Hit by Off-Field Turmoil

• Iran defender Ehsan Hajsafi has criticised FIFA after visa delays disrupted the team’s World Cup preparations.
• Several members of Iran’s travelling party remain without U.S. visas despite the squad arriving in Mexico ahead of the tournament.
• The situation comes amid wider complications linked to the ongoing conflict involving Iran and heightened U.S. security scrutiny.

Iran captain Ehsan Hajsafi has publicly questioned FIFA’s handling of visa issues affecting his country’s World Cup delegation after the national team arrived in Mexico with several members of its entourage still unable to secure entry to the United States.

The three-time Asian champions touched down in Tijuana on Sunday morning ahead of a World Cup campaign that will see all three of their group-stage matches played on American soil. Yet the focus upon arrival was not solely on football.

Instead, concerns remain over visa complications that have disrupted Iran’s preparations for the tournament, jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

“First of all, we’re very happy that the team has finally arrived, and we’re delighted about that,” Hajsafi said.

“Thank God, the team’s condition is very good.

“With everything that happened, visas were eventually issued. Personally, however, I do have a complaint about FIFA. Why did it take so long?”

The experienced defender suggested only players and a limited number of coaching staff had received approval, leaving uncertainty around other members of the travelling delegation.

“As far as I understand, visas were issued only to the players and a few members of the coaching staff,” Hajsafi added.

“From here, I would like to ask FIFA to address this issue so that, God willing, the situation can be resolved in the coming days.”

Iran’s preparations have been complicated by geopolitical tensions and administrative challenges in recent weeks.

Originally planning to establish their World Cup base in Tucson, Arizona, the federation instead shifted operations to Tijuana, just across the U.S.-Mexico border, after delays emerged during the visa process.

The squad had been training in Antalya, Turkey, before boarding a private charter flight directly to Mexico.

Hajsafi was among the first members of the delegation to disembark upon arrival, leading teammates through security checks before boarding transport to the team’s temporary base.

Supporters gathered outside Tijuana Airport to welcome the squad, waving Iranian flags as the players made their way through the terminal.

The visa issue has also drawn attention from U.S. officials.

A U.S. official confirmed that all Iran players had ultimately been granted visas, while reports indicated that coaches, trainers and several support staff members also received approval.

However, questions remain regarding a number of rejected applications.

According to reports, some visa requests were denied after officials concluded that certain applicants had sought entry under what was described as “false pretenses.”

Speaking earlier this week, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stressed that American authorities would closely monitor the Iranian delegation.

“We have no problem with the athletes, as we stated earlier, or their support staff,” Rubio said.

“But what we’re not going to allow is for them to embed in their delegation a bunch of people that we know have nothing to do with athletics and have ties to the IRGC or things of that nature.”

“So we were going to watch that very closely, and we’ll continue to watch that very closely.”

Despite the off-field distractions, Iran’s focus now turns to the tournament itself.

Head coach Amir Ghalenoei’s squad was finalised this week and includes 17 domestically-based players whose club seasons were heavily disrupted, with Iranian league football largely suspended since February because of the ongoing conflict.

Iran open their World Cup campaign against New Zealand in Inglewood, California, on June 15 before facing Belgium six days later. Their final group match comes against Egypt in Seattle on June 26.

For now, however, Hajsafi’s comments underline a reality facing Iran before a ball has even been kicked: their World Cup journey has already been anything but straightforward.

In classic tournament fashion, the football is only part of the story.