Iran’s FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign is increasingly becoming a story of resilience beyond the football pitch. After a dramatic 2-2 draw against New Zealand in Los Angeles, FIFA president Gianni Infantino made an unexpected appearance in Iran’s dressing room, offering words of encouragement and promising assistance as the team continues to grapple with a severe visa crisis.
The visit came at a time when the Iranian squad had openly described its World Cup journey as chaotic and deeply challenging. Captain Mehdi Taremi even labelled the situation a “disaster”, highlighting the off-field hurdles that have overshadowed their performances.
While the draw against New Zealand kept Iran’s hopes alive in Group G, the team's preparations have been anything but normal.
Infantino steps in as Iran faces logistical turmoil
Videos circulating online showed Infantino addressing the players after the final whistle, applauding their determination and urging them to remain focused on the tournament.
“You are writing history; the whole world is watching you," Infantino told the players, adding that they had already made their people proud and still had two crucial matches ahead.
The FIFA chief also acknowledged the extraordinary circumstances surrounding the team.
“I know what you go through. I understand, but you are stronger than everything,” he said, encouraging the players to continue representing their country with pride.
The dressing room interaction quickly became one of the most talked-about moments of the tournament, given the scale of Iran’s ongoing logistical challenges.
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Visa issues force Iran to alter World Cup plans
Iran’s difficulties began long before their opening fixture.
The team was originally scheduled to establish a training base in Tucson, Arizona, but concerns surrounding immigration restrictions prompted officials to shift operations to Tijuana in Mexico instead.
According to the Hindustan Times, the situation worsened when multiple members of Iran’s support staff were denied visas to enter the United States. Reports suggest that although some approvals were eventually granted, 11 officials remain unable to travel.
As a result, Iran has been operating with a reduced backroom team throughout the tournament.
Several important figures, including media officers, analysts and even federation president Mehdi Taj, have been absent during the campaign. In some cases, staff members have been forced to take on multiple responsibilities simply to keep operations running smoothly.
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Iran now turn attention to crucial Group G fixtures
Following the dressing room meeting, Mehdi Taremi confirmed that Infantino had listened to the squad’s concerns and promised to intervene wherever possible.
According to the Hindustan Times, the FIFA president assured players that efforts would be made to facilitate travel arrangements for the remaining members of the delegation and improve conditions ahead of upcoming matches.
Despite all the uncertainty, Iran has shown impressive mental strength.
Twice coming from behind against New Zealand demonstrated the squad’s resilience under immense pressure.
Their World Cup journey is far from over, with decisive Group G encounters against Belgium and Egypt still to come. For Iran, however, the battle is no longer confined to football alone. It is also about overcoming the extraordinary obstacles threatening to derail their tournament before it truly begins.
