Iranian Fans Devastated: Travel Ban Dashes 2026 World Cup Dreams

One year prior to the start of the tournament, Iranian soccer supporters find themselves watching their World Cup aspirations fade due to a renewed U.S. travel restriction that prevents them from entering the nation to support their team.

The 2026 championship will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico; however, the majority of games, particularly the final, are set to take place on U.S. ground.

Many in Iran had clung to hopes of cheering from the stands until Wednesday when U.S. President Donald Trump rolled out a new travel ban on 12 countries including Iran, which will take effect from Monday.

"My friends and I have eagerly anticipated watching Team Melli compete in a World Cup held on American soil for many years, and when they secured their qualification, it felt like an extraordinary moment we would remember forever," explained Sohrab Naderi, a real estate agent based in Tehran. AFP .

"The new travel ban has crushed this hope due to political issues beyond our concern and control," stated the 46-year-old, who participated in the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar where the U.S. team beat Iran 1-0 during the group phase.

The idea of Iran participating in a tournament hosted by the United States emerges amid long-standing hostility, particularly following the rupture in diplomatic relations after the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Currently, both parties are involved in critical negotiations concerning Iran's nuclear program, while the United States has warned of potential military intervention should an agreement not be achieved.

'Degrading to all Iranians'

Trump said the new travel ban was prompted by a makeshift flamethrower attack on a Jewish protest in Colorado that U.S. authorities blamed on a man they said was in the country illegally.

The ban will not apply to athletes competing in either the 2026 World Cup or the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, the order said.

Nonetheless, supporters who had dreamed of crossing the Atlantic to cheer on their team will no longer be able to make the trip.

"Every Iranian has the right to support their team, just as much as any other country, whether the game is in America or in any other country," said Hasti Teymourpour, a 16-year-old football fan.

Following his comeback to office in January, Trump reintroduced his "maximum pressure" approach through sanctions targeting Iran and declared that "something bad will occur" unless the Iranians swiftly make progress toward a nuclear agreement.

Naderi, who called the ban "inhumane" and "degrading to all Iranians", still hopes the Iran-U.S. nuclear talks will yield a deal that might persuade Trump to reconsider.

The results of the U.S.-Iran negotiations which started in April are still uncertain, causing concern among supporters who fear that even if an agreement is reached, it might come too late for their expectations.

Some Iranians have refused to give up hope, however, seeing in the World Cup an opportunity to thaw relations.

"Sports diplomacy can act as a strong catalyst and bring the efforts of political diplomats to fruition sooner," said political commentator Mohammad Reza Manafi.

It might serve as an excellent chance to foster diplomatic relations between the two nations.

Friendly?

During an unforgettable match at the 1998 World Cup, Iranian players presented flowers to their American opponents and shared photographs together — a uncommon public display of camaraderie between the two countries.

Iran emerged victorious with a score of 2–1, and this win was greeted in Tehran with jubilation, serving as a cause for both athletic and national pride.

As the 2026 draw is anticipated in December, it is still uncertain if Iran and the United States will clash once more; however, excitement is mounting.

"The two nations aren't adversarial towards one another; this political dialogue is intended for their respective governments," stated 44-year-old casual worker Siamak Kalantari.

A supporter named Mahdieh Olfati commented: "Should we encounter the U.S. once more, victory will undoubtedly be ours."

The 18-year-old mentioned, 'Our participants are genuine.'

Manafi, the commentator, suggested that a friendly match held before the tournament, potentially organized by a neutral nation, might aid in reducing hostilities.

He stated that such a game could assist "in accomplishing what politicians from both sides have failed to achieve for many years."