Torabi granted multi-entry visa to stay at World Cup after Iran's travel chaos

Iran winger Mehdi Torabi will remain at the 2026 World Cup after the Iranian Football Federation confirmed he has been issued a multi-entry US visa, resolving a crisis that threatened to end his tournament after just one match.

Torabi had been given a single-entry visa rather than the multiple-entry documents granted to his team-mates. That visa expired following Iran’s 2-2 draw with New Zealand in their Group G opener at Los Angeles Stadium on June 16 — a game in which Torabi was an unused substitute — leaving him unable to travel with the squad for subsequent fixtures without a replacement.

In a statement released on Tuesday, the Football Federation of the Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI) confirmed the issue had been resolved. “Following efforts by the Football Federation and coordination with FIFA, the player was issued a new multiple-entry visa today,” the statement read. “With this visa now secured, Torabi will have no issues accompanying Iran’s national team in its upcoming matches and will be available to travel with the squad throughout the remainder of the tournament.”

The episode is the latest in a series of visa complications affecting Iran’s delegation amid strained US-Iran relations. Around 15 FFIRI officials, including team supervisor Mahdi Mohammad Nabi, were denied US visas ahead of the tournament. Iran have established their base camp in Mexico due to security concerns, crossing the border into the United States for group-stage fixtures.

Head coach Amir Ghalenoei has been outspoken about the restrictions placed on his squad, describing Iran as the “most oppressed team” at the World Cup. He revealed the delegation was ordered to leave the United States immediately after their opening match and return to Tijuana.

“After the game they said to us ‘you have to leave immediately’,” Ghalenoei said. “We’ve been asked to get on a plane and return to our camp in Tijuana and we are really troubled by that. They are forcing us to go back early. They are making the situation more and more difficult, more hurdles, but we’re not going to let that stop us from doing our best.”