Iranian national team winger Mehdi Torabi is facing uncertainty over his participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup after reports emerged that his United States visa expired following Iran’s opening match of the tournament.
According to Iranian state media, Torabi was issued a single-entry U.S. visa rather than the multiple-entry visa granted to most members of Iran’s World Cup squad. The development has raised concerns about whether the experienced winger will be available for the remainder of Team Melli’s campaign.
The issue surfaced shortly after Iran’s 2-2 draw against New Zealand in Los Angeles. State news agency IRNA reported that Torabi’s visa became invalid once he departed the United States with the rest of the squad, leaving his return for upcoming matches dependent on obtaining a new visa.
Iran’s football federation has reportedly begun efforts to secure fresh travel documents for the player to ensure he can rejoin the team ahead of its remaining group-stage fixtures. The federation remains hopeful that the situation can be resolved quickly to avoid disrupting the squad’s preparations.
The visa complication comes amid broader diplomatic tensions between Tehran and Washington, which have already impacted Iran’s World Cup delegation. Earlier reports indicated that several members of the Iranian delegation encountered visa-related challenges, while some officials were allegedly denied entry into the United States.
As a result of security and logistical concerns, Iran has established its World Cup base in Mexico and is travelling in and out of the United States for matches scheduled on American soil. This arrangement has added another layer of complexity to the team’s tournament preparations.
The situation has also reportedly affected other members of the Iranian delegation. State media noted that team captain Mehdi Taremi and a staff member experienced difficulties at Los Angeles International Airport following the match against New Zealand.
Iran now faces a race against time to secure Torabi’s return before its next Group G fixture against Belgium in Los Angeles. Team Melli will then conclude its group-stage campaign against Egypt in Seattle on June 26.
With qualification hopes hanging in the balance, the availability of one of Iran’s key attacking players could prove crucial as the team looks to advance beyond the group stage. For now, all eyes remain on whether the necessary visa arrangements can be completed in time for Torabi to continue his World Cup journey.
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