FIFA World Cup 2026: List of players, managers & staff denied entry into the United States

Several members of the Iranian team have been denied entry to the United States for the FIFA World Cup 2026.

The FIFA World Cup 2026 is the largest edition of football’s biggest tournament and will feature 1,248 players representing 48 nations across 104 games. The tournament, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will feature the biggest names and rising prodigies in world football.

However, the Donald Trump administration in the United States, in line with its strict immigration policies, has denied or delayed entry visas for several players, managers and team staff. The biggest victims of this are the Iranian team, with the Middle Eastern nation currently engaged in conflict with the US and Israel.

Let’s look at the players, managers, and staff denied entry into the United States for the FIFA World Cup:

Iran team delegation

When conflict broke out between the United States, Israel, and Iran, fans were worried about Team Melli pulling out of the upcoming World Cup. These worries were exacerbated when several members of the Iranian team delegation, including the federation president Mehdi Taj, were denied entry into the US due to their previous links with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which is designated as a terrorist group by the US.

This led to Team Melli threatening to boycott the World Cup, but the issue was resolved after a lot of back-and-forth between the Iran football federation, the Trump administration, and FIFA. Eventually, Iran decided to play in the US, but the team will be based in Mexico as the US denied them the right to stay overnight in the country. As a result, the Iranian team will play their matches and then return to their base camp in Tijuana.

With days remaining before Iran’s opening match against New Zealand, 14 members of the team – including Taj, federation secretary general Hedayat Mombeini, and vice president Mehdi Mohammad Nabi – remain without visas for the tournament.

Breel Embolo

Switzerland striker Breel Embolo had a two-day delay in receiving his United States visa. The Cameroon-born forward, who plays in Rennes, had a 2018 criminal conviction on his record, which resulted in his entry being blocked by the US authorities, who abruptly revoked his Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). The 29-year-old finally received the necessary approval on June 5.

Helman Mkhalele

South African assistant coach Helman Mkhalele was not among the delegation that left for Bafana Bafana’s World Cup training base in Pachuca, Mexico. Mkhalele saw his initial visa application being rejected, forcing the team to depart without him. The former South African international, who played in the 1998 World Cup, will join the team at a later date.

This @SAFA_net travel & visa debacle is embarrassing & grossly unfair towards the players & coaching staff. I have informed @SAFA_net that I need a report and action must be taken against those responsible for this mess. We are being made to look like fools.

— Gayton McKenzie (@GaytonMcK) May 31, 2026

South African sports minister Gayton McKenzie criticised the visa delay for their staff, calling it “embarrassing” and “grossly unfair”.

Woodensky Pierre

Woodensky Pierre is the only member of the Haitian World Cup squad to play in the Caribbean nation. Haiti is one of the several nations impacted by Trump’s travel ban, and Pierre’s application was delayed despite the US authorities clarifying that players will not be subject to visa problems. The midfielder finally got clearance to travel to the country, joining the rest of the squad on June 4.

Omar Artan

Another nation that has been impacted by Trump’s travel ban is Somalia, and Somali referee Omar Artan has reportedly been barred from entering the United States at the Miami International Airport. Former Somalia captain and government advisor Ciise Aden Abshir criticised the decision, saying, “Omar Artan is among Africa’s most respected referees and deserves the support of the entire football community.”

Aymen Hussain

Iraq striker Aymen Hussain was detained and questioned for almost seven hours after he arrived at O’Hare Airport in Chicago. The forward, who plays for Al-Karma, was finally allowed to enter the United States, but Iraq’s team photographer was denied entry.

Fans from Haiti, Senegal & Ivory Coast

Fans from Haiti, Senegal, and Ivory Coast have been impacted by their nations’ being impacted by a partial travel ban. As a result, supporters from those countries have found it exceedingly difficult to obtain valid US visas, even if they have the means to fund their travel.

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