Iranian Footballer Mehdi Torabi's US Visa Expires During 2026 World Cup

Mehdi Torabi, an Iranian footballer, experienced visa complications following Iran's opening group stage match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup held in the United States. His US visa expired after the team's first match, prompting the Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI) to initiate proceedings to obtain a replacement visa for the player's continued participation in the tournament.

Iran, placed in Group G alongside Belgium, Egypt, and New Zealand, played its first match in Los Angeles against New Zealand on June 16, ending in a 2-2 draw. The team is scheduled to face Belgium in Los Angeles on June 21 and Egypt in Seattle on June 26 to complete its group stage fixtures.

Visa access for the Iranian delegation has been inconsistent throughout the tournament preparation. While Iranian Ambassador to Turkey Mohammad Hassan Habibollahzadeh initially announced on June 3 that all team members had received entry visas, it later emerged that portions of the delegation, including coaching staff members, were denied entry visas. FIFA and the Iranian Football Federation had conducted productive discussions in Turkey in May, which gave FIFA confidence that Iran would participate in the World Cup.

Iran's participation in the 2026 World Cup represented a significant diplomatic achievement after months of uncertainty. The Iranian Sports Ministry had initially suggested the team might skip the tournament, citing safety concerns, but the federation ultimately committed to competing. The team relocated its training camp from the United States to Mexico earlier in the tournament preparation to address concerns.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States, runs from June 11 to July 19 and marks the first World Cup to feature 48 teams rather than the traditional 32-team format.