FIFA President Gianni Infantino has personally assured the Iranian national football team that their visa issues would be resolved, paving the way for their participation in the 2026 World Cup.
Infantino visited the Team Melli locker room on Tuesday, shortly after their 1-0 defeat to Uzbekistan in the final of the 2025 CAFA Nations Cup.
The loss came at the very end of the match, with Uzbekistan’s Khojiakbar Alijanov scoring a decisive header in the 120th minute, leaving the Iranian team visibly dejected.
According to a statement made to the players, Infantino promised that FIFA would do everything possible to address the long-standing visa problems that have affected many Iranian athletes.
He specifically addressed the team’s upcoming trip to the United States for the World Cup, stating there would be “no serious problem” for their travel. This assurance comes after months of Iranian athletes facing visa denials for competitions in the U.S. and Europe.
To commemorate the visit, the team presented the FIFA president with a special Team Melli No. 7 jersey, and a photo was taken with Infantino and the squad.
