Iran's ‘disaster World Cup’ comes to a dramatic end
Politics — 2026-06-28 08:26:00 — www.politico.com
President Donald Trump’s executive order last June placed Iran—one of the first teams to qualify for the World Cup—on a list of 11 countries whose citizens faced restrictive bans on entry to the United States. While the order included an exception for World Cup competitors, the restrictions still complicated travel for Iranian government officials and sports administrators, impacting the team’s ability to prepare and recover during the tournament.
## Trump’s Executive Order and Its Impact
The travel ban, signed by Trump, created significant hurdles for the Iranian delegation. Although players and coaches were technically allowed to enter the U.S. for matches, the State Department did not extend visas to Iran’s full delegation, including government officials and support staff. This left the team without key personnel and forced them to operate under unique constraints not faced by any other competitor.
## Mixed Signals and Uncertainty
As tensions escalated following a U.S. and Israeli military campaign against Iran, Trump sent mixed signals about whether he would facilitate Iran’s participation in the tournament. This uncertainty led FIFA President Gianni Infantino to shuttle between Washington and Tehran in an effort to prevent a boycott that could have undermined the event’s legitimacy.
## Ongoing Restrictions and Disruptions
Due to ongoing concerns about security, the Iranian Football Federation moved its base camp from Arizona to Tijuana, Mexico. The team’s travel was then subject to the discretion of Trump’s Homeland Security Department, which limited their arrival in the U.S. to within 24 hours of kickoff. This arrangement disrupted the team’s training and recovery routines and left players without the support of their full administrative staff.
## Conclusion
President Trump’s executive order and the resulting travel restrictions placed Iran’s World Cup team at a significant disadvantage, complicating their participation and preparation in ways no other team experienced. The episode highlights how Trump’s policies and shifting positions directly affected the ability of international athletes to compete on a level playing field, adding a layer of political tension to one of the world’s most celebrated sporting events.