Iran has accused the United States of preventing several key members of its national football team’s support staff from attending the upcoming FIFA World Cup, despite American authorities approving travel documents for players and selected personnel.
The dispute emerged after US officials confirmed that visas had been granted to Iran’s football squad and what they described as “necessary support staff” ahead of the team’s opening World Cup match in Los Angeles on June 15.
However, US authorities also stated that the visa process would not be used to allow individuals with security concerns to enter the country under the guise of participating in the tournament.
In response, Iran’s embassy in Turkey criticized Washington’s decision, accusing the US of using politics to interfere in international sport. Iranian officials claimed that a significant number of managerial staff, executives and technical advisers had been denied visas.
The embassy rejected the US explanation, describing it as an attempt to conceal what it called discriminatory treatment of Iran’s national team. Officials argued that the restrictions represent an escalation in measures targeting the country’s participation in the competition.
Iran has urged FIFA, football’s governing body, to examine the situation and take action regarding the alleged visa denials.
Reports from Iranian state-linked media indicated that senior figures within the country’s football federation, including the federation president and his deputy, were among those refused entry into the United States.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, hosted jointly by the United States, Canada and Mexico, is scheduled to begin on June 11. Iran secured qualification in March 2025 after finishing at the top of its qualifying group.
The tournament will mark a rare situation in which a host nation welcomes a team representing a country with which it is engaged in an active conflict.
As preparations continued, Iran relocated its training camp from Tucson, Arizona, to Mexico in late May.
Earlier this week, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told lawmakers that individuals connected to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) would not be permitted to join the country’s World Cup delegation.
Some members of Iran’s squad have previously completed mandatory military service associated with the IRGC, a powerful branch of Iran’s armed forces.
Following their opening match in Los Angeles, Iran is also scheduled to face Belgium in California and Egypt in Seattle during the group stage of the tournament.
About the author
RN1 : le Togo prépare l’élargissement de l’axe
Le Togo poursuit les préparatifs en vue de la modernisation de la Route nationale 1 (RN1). Le tronçon Togblékopé-Atakpamé, long de 145 kilomètres, devrait prochainement être réaménagé, avec notamment un projet d'élargissement de la chaussée afin d'améliorer la circulation sur cet axe stratégique. Dans le cadre des préparatifs, la commune de Zio 1, à Tsévié, a lancé une campagne de sensibilisation pour faciliter la libération des emprises routières. Les autorités communales demandent aux occupants des espaces concernés de retirer, avant le 27 juillet 2026, toutes les installations provisoires situées le long de la route. Les mesures concernent principalement les hangars, kiosques, conteneurs, terrasses et autres constructions temporaires installés devant les habitations et susceptibles d'empiéter sur le domaine public. Cette opération constitue une étape importante avant le démarrage des travaux. Les caractéristiques techniques du projet ainsi que son coût n'ont pas […]
Le Togo renforce la budgétisation sensible au genre
Le Togo franchit une nouvelle étape dans l'intégration de l'approche genre au sein de ses finances publiques. Depuis le 20 juillet 2026, un atelier national se tient à Lomé afin d'évaluer la prise en compte des questions de genre dans les politiques publiques et les budgets sectoriels. Pendant dix jours, 118 cadres issus de dix ministères et institutions analysent les écarts entre les femmes et les hommes dans différents secteurs. Les participants examinent également la manière dont les programmes publics intègrent les enjeux liés au genre et identifient les actions budgétaires pouvant améliorer leur impact. À l'issue des travaux, dix rapports sectoriels seront élaborés. Ils permettront de mettre en évidence les insuffisances constatées et de proposer une feuille de route destinée à mieux intégrer l'égalité entre les femmes et les hommes dans les futurs budgets de l'État. Cette initiative est […]
Le Togo accélère sa coopération gazière régionale
Le Togo poursuit ses efforts pour sécuriser son approvisionnement en gaz naturel en renforçant sa coopération avec le Bénin et la Côte d'Ivoire. Le 17 juillet 2026, les trois pays ont participé à une table ronde ministérielle consacrée au développement du secteur gazier en Afrique de l'Ouest, avec l'appui du Groupe de la Banque mondiale. Cette rencontre fait suite au Sommet régional sur le gaz organisé à Abidjan en décembre 2025. Elle vise à accélérer les investissements dans les infrastructures énergétiques et à améliorer la sécurité de l'approvisionnement en gaz dans la sous-région. Le gaz naturel joue un rôle essentiel dans la production d'électricité des trois pays. Au Togo, il représente environ 71 % de la production électrique, contre 76 % au Bénin et 75 % en Côte d'Ivoire. Cette forte dépendance pousse les États à rechercher des solutions communes […]
Ve République : le rôle du président questionné
L'entrée en vigueur de la Constitution de la Ve République a profondément modifié l'organisation des institutions togolaises. Le pays fonctionne désormais sous un régime parlementaire dans lequel le Président de la République occupe une fonction essentiellement honorifique, tandis que le Président du Conseil des ministres exerce l'essentiel du pouvoir exécutif. Cette réforme continue toutefois de susciter des débats, notamment après la décision rendue le 29 janvier 2026 par la Cour de justice de la CEDEAO concernant la révision constitutionnelle de 2024. Dans son arrêt, la Cour a estimé que le calendrier et le contenu de la réforme constitutionnelle laissaient apparaître une volonté de contourner les limitations de mandat prévues par la précédente Constitution. Elle a également relevé que cette modification avait été adoptée peu avant les élections législatives, sans large consultation nationale. La juridiction régionale a aussi souligné que la […]
Evala : Gerry Taama questionne les priorités
Chaque année, la période des Evala suscite des réactions contrastées au Togo. Dans une tribune, Gerry Taama partage son regard sur cet événement culturel majeur, tout en affirmant son attachement à ses origines kabyè. Selon lui, la question ne porte pas sur la tradition elle-même, mais sur les priorités de développement du pays. L'auteur estime que la région de la Kara, notamment la préfecture de la Kozah, reste confrontée à un niveau élevé de pauvreté malgré les importantes ressources mobilisées chaque année pour les festivités. Il considère qu'une partie de ces moyens pourrait également être orientée vers des projets communautaires, des infrastructures ou des initiatives économiques capables de produire des effets durables pour les populations locales. Il s'interroge également sur les conséquences économiques de cette période, marquée par un ralentissement de certaines activités administratives et institutionnelles. À ses yeux, cette […]
Messi aims for another World Cup milestone
Argentina are just one victory away from making football history as they prepare to face Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final. A win would make Lionel Scaloni's side only the third nation to successfully defend the World Cup, matching the achievements of Italy (1934 and 1938) and Brazil (1958 and 1962). Much of Argentina's hopes once again rest on captain Lionel Messi, who continues to deliver outstanding performances despite approaching the later stages of his career. Victory on Sunday would see him become the first captain in history to lift the FIFA World Cup trophy twice. Messi has enjoyed another remarkable tournament, scoring eight goals in seven matches and moving within one goal of Kylian Mbappé in the race to become the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history. His performances have played a crucial role in guiding […]
Related
Canada says it is evaluating “all options” after fresh US tariff threats
Canada has said it is evaluating “all options” after the United States administration announced plans to impose a new 50% tariff on a significant number of Canadian goods.pm+1 In a statement, Prime Minister Mark Carney described the move as the latest in a series of unilateral US trade actions that violate the Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), including earlier tariffs on the Canadian auto sector.cbc+2 Carney said Canada has so far responded with matching, targeted measures but warned that Ottawa is prepared to take any steps necessary to protect Canadian workers, farmers, businesses and families.pm+1 The new tariffs, which will hit packaging products, textiles, horticultural items and other goods accounting for around 5% of Canadian exports to the US, are expected to take effect in August.bloomberg+1 The dispute comes just weeks after the July 1 CUSMA review deadline, when Canada and […]
Messi leads Argentina against Spain in blockbuster World Cup final
Lionel Messi is set to lead Argentina against Spain in a blockbuster FIFA World Cup final. Argentina booked their place in the showpiece after a dramatic semi-final comeback, with Messi once again playing a decisive role in the team’s attack. The veteran captain did not score in the semi-final but created both goals as Argentina turned the game around late to reach the final. Spain, meanwhile, arrive with a strong defensive record and will be hoping to stop Messi and the defending champions from making history. The final promises a huge battle between two of football’s biggest nations, with Argentina aiming to retain the title and Spain seeking another world crown. Fans around the world are expecting a high-quality contest as Messi chases one more major trophy in what could be one of the biggest matches of the tournament.
Russian missile strikes kill four in Ukraine
Russia launched a new wave of ballistic missile attacks on several Ukrainian cities overnight, leaving at least four people dead and 36 others injured, according to Ukrainian authorities. The northeastern city of Kharkiv suffered the heaviest casualties, with three people killed and 20 injured after missiles struck a postal terminal in the city's outskirts. Regional Governor Oleh Syniehubov said the victims were men aged between 24 and 62, while three of the injured remain in critical condition. In the capital, Kyiv, one person was killed and 16 others were wounded as multiple explosions were reported across the city. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described the assault as one of the largest ballistic missile attacks on Kyiv since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022. Ukraine's Air Force said Russia fired 41 missiles during the overnight assault, including Iskander ballistic missiles […]
US and Iran exchange fresh military strikes
The United States carried out a new wave of overnight air strikes on Iran on Saturday, targeting coastal surveillance systems, air defence sites and facilities linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), according to US military officials. US Central Command (Centcom) said the operation aimed to weaken Iran's ability to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and to respond to an attack in Jordan that killed two American service members and left another missing. The military described the strikes as a direct response against IRGC units it blamed for the assault. Iranian state media reported that the strikes also hit an under-construction nuclear power plant in the south-western city of Darkhoveyn, as well as targets on Qeshm Island, which overlooks the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian authorities have not yet released details on casualties or the extent of […]
Zelenskiy shakes up national security post as protesters rally for second day
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has appointed former interior minister Ihor Klymenko to lead the national security and defence council after a controversial shake-up in his wartime government. Klymenko will coordinate all components of the security and defence sector, including defence production, according to Zelenskiy.+ The move followed the dismissal of a popular young defence minister, a decision that sparked rare wartime protests in Kyiv and other cities for a second day. Demonstrators gathered outside the president’s office demanding that the ousted minister be reinstated, saying the government had not properly explained the reason for the removal. The reshuffle is part of a wider political overhaul that has already seen parliament approve a new prime minister and other cabinet changes Zelenskiy’s office says the changes are meant to strengthen Ukraine’s security and defence structure at a time when the country is […]
Canada wildfires spread smoke across US
Hundreds of wildfires continue to burn across Canada, sending thick smoke into parts of the United States and prompting widespread air quality warnings in both countries. According to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre, 857 wildfires are currently active nationwide, including 23 new fires reported on Thursday. Most of the ongoing fires remain out of control, increasing concerns about their impact on public health and the environment. Smoke from major wildfire clusters in western Ontario has spread across several Canadian cities, including Thunder Bay and Toronto, while also drifting south into the United States. Authorities have issued air quality alerts across parts of the Upper Midwest, the Great Lakes region and the Northeast. In the US, hazardous air quality has been reported in areas of Michigan, Minnesota and Minneapolis. Health officials are advising residents, especially children, older adults and people […]