Iranian football fans say their dream of cheering on their national team at the 2026 FIFA World Cup has been crushed, following a renewed US travel ban barring Iranians from entering the United States.
With just a year left before the tournament kicks off, Iranian supporters are reeling from a travel restriction announced by US President Donald Trump, which prohibits entry from 12 countries—including Iran—effective next Monday.
The 2026 World Cup is set to be hosted jointly by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, with the majority of key matches—including the final—taking place on US soil.
“My friends and I have been waiting for years to watch Team Melli play in America,” said Sohrab Naderi, a 46-year-old fan from Tehran. “Now that dream is shattered by politics we can’t control.”
The travel ban, part of Trump’s reinstated “maximum pressure” campaign on Iran, was announced after a violent incident in Colorado blamed on an undocumented immigrant. While the ban exempts athletes participating in the World Cup and the 2028 Olympics, fans remain barred.
Many Iranians view the decision as discriminatory. “It’s degrading to all Iranians,” Naderi added, expressing hope that ongoing nuclear negotiations might prompt a policy reversal.
Sixteen-year-old football fan Hasti Teymourpour echoed the frustration. “Every Iranian has the right to support their team, wherever they play.”
Despite diplomatic tensions rooted in decades of hostility since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, some see football as a possible bridge. Political analyst Mohammad Reza Manafi called sports diplomacy “a strong catalyst” that could ease US-Iran tensions.
Fans recall past moments of goodwill, such as the 1998 World Cup, when Iranian and American players exchanged flowers before their match. With a possible rematch in 2026, optimism persists.
“We will definitely win if we face the US again,” said 18-year-old Mahdieh Olfati. “Ours are real players.”
LND/BG
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