The Iran National Team, competing in the 2026 World Cup, is facing an unexpected crisis due to Mehdi Torabi's visa problem. The 31-year-old player's single-entry visa used to enter the US has expired, putting the team's tournament plans at risk.
The Iranian Football Federation announced that Torabi encountered visa issues after the group match against New Zealand in the US. The federation has started the necessary applications for the player to re-enter the US.
If this process is not completed in time, Torabi may miss the group stage matches against Belgium and Egypt. The Iranian side is awaiting whether the visa procedures will be completed on schedule.
The visa issue is not limited to Torabi alone. It was reported that after the New Zealand match, the Iranian delegation was not granted permission to stay in the US and was asked to return to Mexico, where the team is training.
Iran National Team Coach Amir Ghalenoei said the decision has put them in a difficult position. Ghalenoei stated they were immediately told to leave, they do not know why this was done, and the decision seriously affected their plans.
Ghalenoei also expressed that he believes they are one of the teams under the most pressure in the World Cup. Now, all eyes in Iran are on both the outcome of Torabi's visa application and the team's travel plans ahead of the remaining group matches.