Iran has submitted the passports of its national football team members to the US Embassy in the Turkish capital of Ankara as part of the visa process ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Anadolu reports citing Iranian Football Federation President Mehdi Taj.

Speaking to Iran state television, Taj says FIFA requested that the passports be delivered to the embassy.

“Yesterday, FIFA asked us to submit the passports of Iran’s national football team members to the US Embassy in Ankara, and we did so,” Taj says, adding that the federation is awaiting a decision on the visa applications and expects clarity within the next two days.

“We are waiting today and tomorrow to see whether US visas will be issued for the national team members,” he adds, noting that the squad must secure the visas before travelling to the Mexican city of Tijuana.

Despite the uncertainty, Taj expresses confidence that all members of the delegation would receive visas.

“My assessment is that visas will be issued for all members of Iran’s national football team travelling to the United States,” he says.