Iran’s participation in the 2026 World Cup qualifying tournament has encountered a complication with the expiration of forward Mehdi Torabi’s U.S. visa. The issue arose after Iran played its first match in the United States. Iranian state news agency Irna reported the visa expired following Torabi’s entry into the country. This development has led the Iranian team to express feelings of being unfairly treated, characterizing the situation as oppressive. Details regarding potential solutions or appeals are currently unavailable. The team is assessing options to ensure Torabi’s continued participation in the qualifying stages. This visa issue adds an unexpected challenge for Iran as they compete for a spot in the expanded 2026 World Cup.