Iranian Photographer Denied World Cup Entry Over Nationality
Sajad Imanian, a 26-year-old Iranian photographer working for the Asian Football Confederation, was denied entry to the 2026 World Cup co-hosted by the U.S. after a U.S. Consulate General in Sydney interview questioned his conscription status in Iran and travel to Gaza or Lebanon. Nieman Reports, based at Harvard University, revealed the rejection stemmed from his Iranian birth. Imanian had previously traveled without issue to France and Italy for the Paris and Winter Olympics using invitation letters. Iraqi team photographer Talal Salah was also denied entry upon arrival at Chicago's O'Hare airport. The Iranian soccer team was forced to relocate from Tucson, Arizona to Tijuana, Mexico due to U.S. restrictions, impacting recovery time. Head coach Amir Ghalenoei called the team "the most oppressed one in the whole World Cup."
Key facts
- Sajad Imanian is a 26-year-old Iranian photographer.
- He works for the Asian Football Confederation.
- He was denied entry to the 2026 World Cup co-hosted by the U.S.
- The denial followed an interview at the U.S. Consulate General in Sydney.
- He was questioned about his conscription status in Iran and travel to Gaza or Lebanon.
- Nieman Reports at Harvard University reported the visa rejection was due to his Iranian birth.
- Imanian had no issues traveling to France and Italy for the Olympics.
- Iraqi team photographer Talal Salah was also denied entry at Chicago's O'Hare airport.
- The Iranian team was forced to relocate from Tucson, Arizona to Tijuana, Mexico.
- Head coach Amir Ghalenoei described the team as 'the most oppressed one in the whole World Cup.'
Entities
Artists
- Sajad Imanian
- Talal Salah
- Jürgen Klopp
- Amir Ghalenoei
Institutions
- Asian Football Confederation
- Nieman Reports
- Harvard University
- U.S. Consulate General in Sydney
- PetaPixel
Locations
- Iran
- Australia
- Sydney
- France
- Italy
- Paris
- Chicago
- O'Hare airport
- Tucson
- Arizona
- Tijuana
- Mexico
- New Zealand