The Daily Mirror, UK.
Story by Nathan Ridley
Mehdi Taremi of Iran is celebrating after scoring a goal during the AFC Asian Cup 2023 match between Iran and the United Arab Emirates at Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar, on January 23, 2023. (Photo by Noushad Thekkayil/NurPhoto via Getty Images)© Noushad Thekkayil/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Iran striker Mehdi Taremi faces being denied entry to the 2026 World Cup over his mandatory military service. Taremi, 33, was prolific during qualification, scoring 10 goals in 15 games as Iran topped both of their groups.
Amir Ghalenoei’s side have been placed in Group G alongside Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand. They’ll play their fixtures in the US cities of Los Angeles and Seattle.
But Taremi might not be involved. It comes after the president of the Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran, Mehdi Taj, revealed that some players are at risk of not receiving visas.
“The United States might not issue visas to some players due to their military service location,” Taj warned. “That’s why we’ve started now and have selected replacements for players who might not receive visas.”
It quickly emerged from various Iranian media outlets that Taremi was among those who the federation chief was referencing. All Iranian men must serve time in a military once they turn 19.
Taremi’s situation, however, is markedly different from most of his team-mates. Between 2010 and 2012, the Olympiacos star served in the Navy of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in the city of Bushehr near his home.
“My service was right there in Bushehr,” Taremi explained in a 2015 interview. “Close to our own home, at the IRGC Navy base. It wasn’t hard at all.”
The US State Department has firm restrictions for individuals with ties to organisations which it deems as foreign terrorist entities. Their list includes the IRGC.
In a statement provided to Pro Soccer Wire, a US State Department spokesperson didn’t rule out the possibility that some of Iran’s players could see their visa applications denied. “The Trump Administration is committed to doing everything we can to support a successful World Cup,” they said.
Iran’s forward #09 Mehdi Taremi celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Asia zone qualifiers group A football match between Iran and the North Korea at the Azadi Sports Complex in Tehran on June 10, 2025. (Photo by ATTA KENARE / AFP) (Photo by ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images)© ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images
“At the same time, the administration will not waver in upholding US law and the highest standards of national security and public safety in the conduct of our visa process.
“We adjudicate each visa application on a case-by-case basis after rigorous review and thorough vetting to determine whether the individual is eligible under US law.”
The ex-Inter Milan and Porto star could therefore miss out on the chance to play at back-to-back World Cups. In 2022, Iran came third in a group alongside England, Wales and the United States, finishing third on three points.