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Iran national football team player Mehdi Torabi has been left unable to rejoin his squad in the United States after his visa expired following the country's opening match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Iran's football federation announced Tuesday.
According to the Iran Football Federation, visas issued to members of the national team were generally valid for multiple entries. However, Torabi's visa was issued as a single-entry permit — a distinction that has now left the midfielder separated from the rest of the squad.
Torabi traveled with the team to Los Angeles for Iran's opening group stage match against New Zealand. After leaving the United States in the wake of the game, his visa lapsed, preventing him from returning to the country where the remaining matches are set to be played.
Iranian football authorities have since initiated procedures to obtain a new US entry visa for Torabi. No timetable has been provided for when the new permit is expected to be issued, and it remains unclear whether the player will be able to return in time for the team's next fixture.
The federation did not specify why Torabi's visa was processed as a single-entry document while the rest of the squad received multiple-entry permits, nor did it indicate whether the discrepancy was the result of an administrative error or a decision by US authorities.
Iran's opening match at the World Cup, held in Los Angeles, ended in a 2-2 draw against New Zealand. The result leaves the team with one point from its opening fixture as it prepares for the remaining group stage games on US soil.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is being co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico — a tournament that has drawn particular attention given the broader diplomatic tensions between Washington and Tehran. Iran and the United States do not maintain formal diplomatic relations, and travel between the two countries remains subject to significant restrictions.
For Iranian players, obtaining US visas ahead of the tournament required coordination through third-party channels, as the two governments do not operate standard consular services for each other's nationals. The situation surrounding Torabi highlights the logistical challenges facing Iranian football officials as they navigate those restrictions during the competition.
The federation said it is continuing to work with relevant authorities to secure the necessary documentation for Torabi's return to the squad.
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