FIFA is facing growing pressure to intervene after African and Iranian journalists complained of visa restrictions that could prevent them from covering the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States.
The International Sports Press Association (AIPS) has formally appealed to FIFA, warning that many accredited journalists remain unable to secure visas despite receiving official approval to report on the tournament. The competition, which begins on June 11 and runs until July 19 across the United States, Canada and Mexico, is being promoted as a global celebration of football, but visa disputes are threatening to overshadow the event.
In a letter sent to FIFA Director of Media Relations Bryan Swanson and Head of Media Operations Jochen Steinhoff, AIPS President Gianni Merlo described the situation as “unacceptable” and called on football’s governing body to act urgently. According to AIPS, several journalists from African nations and Iran have either been denied entry visas or issued only single entry visas.
The single entry visa issue has emerged as a major concern because the World Cup is being staged across three countries. Journalists who travel to Canada or Mexico to cover matches could be prevented from returning to the United States for later rounds, including the quarter finals, semi finals and final, all of which will be played on American soil.
AIPS said many reporters have already booked flights and accommodation and now face financial losses due to visa delays. The association argued that restricting accredited media representatives contradicts the spirit of international sport and undermines press freedom.
The controversy comes amid wider tensions surrounding Iran’s participation in the tournament. After weeks of uncertainty, Iranian players were eventually granted visas to enter the United States. However, several senior federation officials and support staff were still awaiting clearance as the tournament approached. Iran’s football federation accused US authorities of politicising the process and said it would raise the matter with FIFA.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said individuals linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps would not be allowed entry, while the White House insisted the visa system would not be abused to bring unauthorised personnel into the country.
With only days remaining before kick off, media organisations are urging FIFA to ensure that accredited journalists from Africa and other affected regions can carry out their work without restrictions, warning that the credibility of the World Cup’s promise to unite the world is now being tested.
