[69541] The Iranian national football team arrived at the U.S. Embassy in Ankara ahead of the World Cup

The Iranian national team turns to the U.S. for visas ahead of the 2026 World Cup

In a notable diplomatic-sporting move, a delegation of the Iranian national football team, including officials and players, arrived today (May 21, 2026) at the United States Embassy in Ankara, Turkey. The goal: submitting visa applications ahead of their participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup tournament.

According to a report by Sputnik Türkiye, which is aligned with the positions of the Russian government, the players and representatives arrived physically at the embassy building to complete the bureaucratic procedures required for entry into the United States. GündemX noted in their report that the arrival of the players in Ankara for this purpose is taking place under the eyes of the global media.

On the other hand, TGRT HABER, a Turkish media channel with a general news orientation, chose to frame the event under the headline: "In the shadow of war: 2026 World Cup – the Iranian national team applied for an American visa". This headline highlights the deep geopolitical tension between Tehran and Washington, which remains a central factor even in international sports events.