Iran may be forced to break a strict FIFA rule at the 2026 World Cup due to a controversial new demand imposed by the United States.

The Iranian national team, who were previously warned by US President Donald Trump to stay away from this summer’s showpiece international tournament due to political hostilities between the two countries, have been impacted by reported visas refusals to “key managerial and administrative” members of its World Cup team this week.

Hedayat Mombeini, the Iran Football Federation’s secretary-general, along with vice president Mehdi Mohammad Nabi, are among 14 backroom staff and officials without U.S. visas, Iranian state television have claimed, per ESPN.

Iran’s 2026 World Cup training base is situated in Mexico, despite the fact the team’s three Group G matches are all taking place in the United States (two in Los Angeles against New Zealand and Belgium, and one in Seattle against Egypt).

Iran’s ambassador to Mexico, Abolfazl Pasandideh, has now told reporters that the national team have been informed they must arrive and leave the United States on the same day for all of their 2026 World Cup matches. Per The Mirror, Pasandideh said:

Iran May Have to Break FIFA Rule

As well as presenting a host of potential logistical issues, this would also mean that Iran would have no option but to break one of FIFA’s strict tournament rules.

World football’s governing body have made it clear that every team’s coach must give a press conference on the eve of the match at the venue where their next match will be played, according to The Guardian.

However, this may not be possible for Iran if they must enter and leave US soil on the same day as their fixtures.

With days to go before the tournament begins, Iran have called on FIFA to “hold the US accountable for violations of its rules and for the discriminatory treatment of Iran’s national football team”.

A statement posted on X by Iran’s Embassy in Turkey added: “You cannot whitewash conduct that violates FIFA regulations and breaches the United States’ host obligations merely by praising yourselves.

“Why do you not say that visas were denied to a large portion of the managerial and executive staff, technical advisers, and others who are an integral part of any national football team?

The statement continued: “By extending your whimsical hostilities against the Iranian nation into the realm of sport, the U.S. government in practice is depriving Iran’s national team of its right to play in the World Cup under normal conditions and without undue pressure and stress.

“This represents the worst possible form of politically biased interference in sport.”

Cristiano Ronaldo is likely playing in his last-ever World Cup this summer. His first involvement in a major tournament for Portugal came in Euro 2004, while he won the European Championships competition in 2016, he’s never got his hands on the biggest prize.

Indeed, this will be the sixth World Cup Ronaldo has played in, and almost certainly his final chance to win it. Across the past editions, he’s scored eight goals and picked up two assists in 22 games, but has never made it past the semi-finals. Portugal came fourth in Germany 2006, crashed out at the Round of 16 in 2010 and 2018, didn’t even make it out of the group in 2014, and went out at the quarters in 2022.

Now 41, the Saudi Pro League star is very much past his prime, but will still expect to make a big impact this summer. In fairness, he has scored 10 goals in his last 10 international outings going into the tournament, which suggests he could yet be a real threat for the Portuguese.

At Euro 2024, however, Ronaldo struggled, failing to score as he started all five games before his team were knocked out by France in the quarter-finals. He made plenty of headlines that summer, but one interesting thing eagle-eyed viewers spotted was that he stood at a slightly different angle from his teammates during the Portugal national anthem ahead of kick-off. It’s likely to happen again at the 2026 World Cup, but why does CR7 do it?

Why Cristiano Ronaldo Stands Sideways During Portugal National Anthem

As the Portuguese team line up, side by side to sing ‘A Portuguesa’, Ronaldo instead often chooses to stand sideways in the lineup. He does so as a way of showing how much love and respect he has for his nation.

Indeed, the Al Nassr striker positions himself differently to make sure that he is facing the Portugal flag wherever it is flying in the stadium. Beyond anything else, this is simply an act of patriotism.

This has been a tradition of the captain throughout his career as a sign of respect for his home nation. Some may laugh at this idiosyncratic behaviour, but it doesn’t seem to have hurt the veteran forward.

Indeed, Ronaldo has scored more goals for Portugal than any other player in international football. In fact, he’s scored more goals in the sport than anyone else, so his methods ought not to be questioned when it comes to pre-game superstitions.

Roberto Martinez Backs Ronaldo: ‘Age is Only a Number’

Ronaldo won Euro 2016 but was injured during the final. His absence in that game may be pointed out by those critics who suggest Portugal would be better off without him. Manager Roberto Martinez is often questioned about the matter, but has insisted that the 41-year-old is in the team based on merit, not reputation.

Speaking to the press about the five-time Ballon d’Or winner ahead of the tournament, the Portugal manager explained:

Portugal come up against DR Congo in their first Group K match, before meeting Uzbekistan and Colombia. Ronaldo will almost certainly start some of those games, and it will be interesting to see how he lines up during the national anthem.

This article covers a developing story. Continue to check back with us as we will be adding more information as it becomes available.

This article covers a developing story. Continue to check back with us as we will be adding more information as it becomes available.