After his first U.S. trip, Mehdi Torabi received a new multi-entry visa, allowing him to return with Iran's national football team. His previous visa permitted only one entry. The Iran Football Federation said Torabi used it when he travelled to Los Angeles for Iran's 2026 World Cup opener against New Zealand. The document became unusable after that entry, not because he overstayed. On Wednesday, the Federation announced that Torabi had received a visa valid for multiple visits to the United States.
The timing mattered: Iran's next group match was scheduled against Belgium, requiring the squad to travel again within the United States. The Federation said it was working to secure a replacement so Torabi could continue travelling with the team. The new visa resolves the immediate travel issue described in its announcement and authorizes him to enter the country multiple times.
Torabi's case unfolded amid wider uncertainty over arrangements for Iran's delegation. Reports said several support staff had not received visas, and Iran moved its planned World Cup base camp from Arizona to Tijuana. The 2026 tournament will be held across the United States, Canada and Mexico, with 48 teams playing 104 matches. For participating teams, travel between cities and across borders is a basic logistical concern.
The visa issue also drew heightened political scrutiny to Iran's delegation. U.S. Secretary of State Estructura Rubio said Iranian footballers would be welcome at the tournament, while warning that people with ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps could be denied entry. Iran's football federation president, Mehdi Taj, had called for timely visas and respect for the team's staff, flag and anthem. Those concerns formed part of the team's wider travel environment. The Federation's announcement addressed Torabi's visa and did not identify any individual security determination about him.
U.S. visa processing poses added logistical challenges for Iranian nationals: the United States has no embassy or consular presence in Iran, so applicants generally must apply through a U.S. post in another country. The Federation said Torabi's new multi-entry visa would allow him to keep travelling with the national team for its upcoming U.S.-based activities.
