World Cup 2026: SoFi Stadium in Inglewood hosts first match on US soil in 32 years

Iran's World Cup campaign is set to begin Monday in Inglewood against New Zealand, but visa denials affecting members of the country's soccer federation have become a central issue surrounding the team's arrival in the United States.

According to officials, 15 Iranian soccer federation members were denied U.S. visas ahead of the tournament.

Players and coaching staff were not impacted by the visa denials.

The U.S. State Department cited security concerns, alleging abuse of the visa system to "sneak terrorists in the United States under false pretenses." No further details about those allegations have been released.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio had indicated that the Trump administration had "no problem" with providing visas to Iran's team during his testimony on Capitol Hill earlier this month- but he said the administration would not allow the regime to use the event to bring in IRGC-affiliates.

"What we're not going to allow is for them to embed in their delegation a bunch of people that we know have nothing to do with athletics and have ties to the IRGC or things of that nature, so we were going to watch that very closely," he said.

Iran is the only World Cup team whose federation has faced such a large number of denied entries, adding complications to its tournament preparations. As a result of the visa issues, the team made last-minute changes, moving its training base from Arizona to Tijuana.

Despite those challenges, Iran is scheduled to open play Monday at the SoFi Stadium (renamed Los Angeles Stadium by FIFA) against New Zealand. The match, set for 6 p.m., is one of two games Iran will play in the Los Angeles area.

Southern California is home to the largest Iranian population outside Iran. Hundreds of thousands of people of Iranian descent live in the region, making the team's presence a significant cultural moment for many supporters.

However, excitement around the match is tempered by what's become a very complicated situation. Fans are grappling with mixed emotions tied to the ongoing war in Iran, which has added a layer of complexity to what might otherwise be a celebratory occasion.

For the players and coaching staff, the focus remains on competition. Iran enters the match as the favored team against New Zealand.

As for the war, it appears an agreement to end it is near.

Pakistan's prime minister said Friday that mediators are working with both sides in the conflict to finalize an agreement, adding that "peace has never been this close."

ABC News contributed to this report.

Los Angeles will host eight World Cup games at Sofi Stadium, which will be known as Los Angeles Stadium for the duration of the tournament.

Match 4 - June 12 at 6:00 PM, USA vs PAR (Group D)

Match 15 - June 15 at 6:00 PM, IRN vs NZL (Group G)

Match 26 - June 18 at 12:00 PM, SUI vs ITA/NIR/WAL/BIH* (Group B)

Match 39 - June 21 at 12:00 PM, BEL vs IRN (Group G)

Match 59 - June 25 at 7:00 PM, TUR/ROU/SVK/KOS* vs USA (Group D)

Match 73 - June 28 at 12:00 PM, Round of 32

Match 84 - July 2 at 12:00 PM, Round of 32

Match 98 - July 10 at 12:00 PM, Quarter-Finals

The World Cup craze is sweeping across Southern California, and it's about to get even more exciting when Team USA takes the field at SoFi Stadium.

The U.S. has opened its first home World Cup in 32 years with a dynamic 4-1 victory over Paraguay.

Folarin Balogun scored twice in the Americans' historic three-goal first half.

Christian Pulisic had an assist in a stellar first-half playmaking performance for the Americans, who enthralled their Southern California fans with an aggressive attack while streaking to a 3-0 halftime lead.

Gio Reyna ripped another goal in the dying moments of second-half injury time, giving the Americans four goals in a World Cup match for the first time.

The U.S. scored only three goals combined in Qatar four years ago.

Here's a recap from the first match:

The final kick of the game is one of the best goals of Gio Reyna's career.

Maurício cuts the American lead to two with Paraguay's first goal of the World Cup.

A great ball by Malik Tillman and an even better finish by Folarin Balogun, whose second goal of the game gave the USMNT a 3-0 lead just before halftime.

Folarin Balogun does what he does best, as he found space in the box and poked home a cross from Christian Pulisic to put the USMNT up 2-0.

Damián Bobadilla's own goal puts the U.S. ahead in the opening 10 minutes against Paraguay.

Here's the reaction from fans in Philadelphia after going up 1-0.

The World Cup opening ceremony in Sofi Stadium will come with a star-studded performance.

Anitta, Future, Katy Perry, Lisa and Rema will all take the stage Friday night. Country-duo Dan and Shay is set to sing the national anthem.

Meanwhile, an opening ceremony will take place in Toronto as Canada is set to face-off against Bosnia-Herzegovina. A few of the performers for their ceremony include Alanis Morissette, Alessia Cara and Michael Bublé.

On Thursday, Mexico got the show started with Shakira and Burna Boy. The two artists performed their official anthem for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Anitta, Future, Katy Perry, Lisa and Rema will all take the stage Friday night.