With less than four weeks remaining until the start of the World Cup, the Iranian football team has still not received its visas for the United States, according to Mehdi Taj, the head of the Iranian Football Federation.

According to a report by Iran’s state-run news agency, IRNA, Federation President Mehdi Taj stated, “We are scheduled to hold a final meeting with FIFA tomorrow or the day after. They must provide us with assurances, as the visa issue remains unresolved.”

Mehdi Taj further added, “We have not yet received any details from them regarding who is receiving visas. As of now, no visas have been issued.”

Taj noted that, as part of the visa application process, the players are required to travel to Ankara, the capital of Turkey, to provide their fingerprints. “The players need to go to Ankara to provide their fingerprints. However, we are attempting to arrange this in Antalya so that a trip to Ankara becomes unnecessary.”

War broke out on February 28 after the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran. However, a ceasefire has been in effect since April 8. Tehran and Washington have maintained no diplomatic relations since 1980—a rift stemming from the hostage crisis at the US Embassy following the Islamic Revolution, which ousted the US-backed Shah from power.

Meanwhile, on Wednesday, Iran hosted a farewell ceremony in Tehran for the national football team preparing to participate in the 2026 World Cup. Before departing for the tournament, the team is scheduled to hold a training camp in Turkey.

Although the United States, Canada, and Mexico are serving as joint hosts for this World Cup, all of Iran’s group- stage matches are scheduled to take place in the United States. Iran is set to kick off its World Cup campaign on June 15 in Los Angeles with a match against New Zealand. Their other two opponents in the tournament are Belgium and Egypt.