Entry lock for 2026?
World Cup participants reacts to Trump ban
Updated on 05.06.2025 – 5:42 p.m.Reading time: 2 min.
Iran has already qualified for the 2026 World Cup in the USA. However, Trump’s entry lock for Iranians could have serious consequences.
The political decision of the US president has an impact that extends into sport: According to the recent entry block for Iranian citizens, the concerns about participating in the national team in the World Cup in Iran will grow in the coming year-even if the team has already qualified in sports.
According to the DPA, the Iranian Football Association (FFI) does not currently want to express itself publicly. Background: The draw of the World Cup games is still pending and Iranian games could also be set in Canada or Mexico. Nevertheless, the discussions in the country have started – the media also take up the topic.
The Iranian news portal “Shia-News” just called Trump’s decision “and called for FIFA President Gianni Infantino. The World Cup is a global sporting event, not a place for political arguments. The later the FIFA react, the more difficult it is to find a solution, the portal wrote. The World Association and Infantino could lose reputation – especially since Infantino Trump has recently met several times.
It is unclear whether the ban on entry also applies to the national players. However, it seems certain that association employees, journalists and fans would be affected. In particular, a lot of followers travel to the World Cup from Iran – they too should not enter the United States, it said.
Iran and the United States have not maintained diplomatic relationships for over 45 years and are considered political arch enemies. However, almost two million Iranians live in the United States, whose family members have always been able to visit them despite the political differences and difficult visa procedures. But these family reunions are also blocked by the current entry stop.