Yes, FIFA Is Actively Working to Solve Visa Problems Before the 2026 World Cup

FIFA has indeed been working to tackle visa and entry barriers ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. This is not speculation — it is confirmed by reporting from Reuters, the Associated Press, the Guardian, and BBC Sport, as well as FIFA's own official communications.

The core concern is straightforward: some nations that qualify for the tournament face U.S. travel restrictions or sanctions. Countries like Iran could theoretically be blocked from sending players or fans to matches held on U.S. soil. That would be a serious problem for a tournament that markets itself as a celebration of global football.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has directly raised these concerns with U.S. authorities and sought formal guarantees, according to the Associated Press. FIFA's host country agreements already include legal provisions requiring host nations to allow entry to all participating teams, officials, media, and fans. FIFA has said it is actively monitoring whether those commitments are being honored.

To be fair to the complexity here, no fully resolved framework has been publicly announced as of early 2025, according to the available evidence. The talks are real, but the outcome is still being worked out. That distinction matters — progress is happening, but the problem is not yet solved.

This story is worth following closely as the tournament approaches. Watch for vague reassurances that don't specify which nations are covered, or announcements that quietly exclude certain countries. The gap between FIFA's stated commitments and what host governments actually deliver is where the real story will unfold.