Iran without their best player because of Trump?

Islamic Republic of Iran have appeared in the FIFA World Cup on six occasions: in 1978, 1998, 2006, 2014, 2018 and 2022. Next year will be their seventh appearance at the FIFA‘s most prestigious competition and they are yet to pass the groups stage. In 2026 they will have tough time doing that for the first time for two reasons. First one is the draw. They are in the group with Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand and since Belgium and the Pharaohs are obvious favorites, Iran will fight for the third place with New Zealand. But only the eight best third-place teams will advance and Iran will be in trouble for another, second reason – Donald Trump.

Since becoming the USA president again, Trump and his administration enforced a travel ban in June. The ban included an exemption for "any athlete or member of an athletic team, including coaches, persons performing a necessary support role, and immediate relatives, traveling for the World Cup, Olympics, or other major sporting event as determined by the secretary of state". So far, Iran but also Haiti (who also qualified) have already been among 19 states who were banned in June. But now Iran‘ captain and best player is in danger of being excluded.

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Iran has a compulsory military service requirement for all men when they reach the age of 19. Several Iran national team players have served in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), an elite branch of the Iranian military. The problem is, in 2019 the U.S. government designated the IRGC as a foreign terrorist organization. And former Inter striker Mehdi Taremi served for IGRC and the Iran Football Federation president Mehdi Taj warned that he, and some other players and staff members may be denied USA entry.

“We must prepare backup options for the World Cup. If, for any reason, a player is told they cannot travel, we must have replacements ready. Saeed Elhayi, a member of the coaching staff, was denied a visa due to the location of his military service. We protested to FIFA, they could have stood more firmly against the United States“ he said to the national television. Former Porto, Inter and now Olympiacos striker will be restless until he finds out his destiny come June 2026.