Iran’s World Cup squad granted US visas ahead of tournament opener
Iran’s World Cup squad has been granted visas to enter the United States just ten days before their tournament opener, American officials confirmed on Friday, reports BritPanorama.
The approval clears the way for the team to face New Zealand in Los Angeles on 15 June. However, several senior staff members remain without permission to enter the country.
According to Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency, those still awaiting visas include Executive Director Mehdi Kharati, football federation secretary general Hedayat Mombini, and Media Director Mohsen Motamedkia. Staff lacking entry permits will accompany the squad to Mexico while attempts to secure their documentation continue.
Iran’s football federation has sharply criticised the visa refusals, describing Washington’s actions as politically motivated. “The US government, continuing its hostile actions against the national team … made a non-sporting and completely political decision to refuse visas for key managerial and administrative members of the Iranian national football team,” the federation stated, according to Iranian state media.
The governing body argued that the American stance “contradicts international sports laws” and confirmed it would escalate the dispute to FIFA. The federation called on world football’s governing body to intervene and finalise documentation for all remaining staff currently in camp with the national team. FIFA has not yet responded to the complaint.
The squad is set to touch down in Tijuana early on Sunday, having relocated their training base from Arizona to Mexico amid the ongoing visa difficulties. Iranian officials have indicated a broader desire to minimise the team’s time on American soil during the tournament.
The diplomatic tensions surrounding Iran’s participation extend beyond the current visa dispute. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio informed lawmakers earlier this week that Washington would bar anyone connected to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps from joining Iran’s delegation. Several players in the Iranian squad have fulfilled compulsory military service with the organisation.
Federation president Mehdi Taj himself was refused entry when he attempted to attend the tournament draw in Washington last December. He previously served as a commander in the Revolutionary Guards. American officials stated they would not permit Iran to “abuse this system to sneak terrorists into the United States under false pretenses.”
Amid the geopolitical backdrop, the games themselves promise drama; yet the Iranian team faces much more than just competition on the pitch. It’s a poignant reminder of how sport often mingles with the intricacies of international relations, with every goal scored echoing far beyond the stadium. As the squad looks to make their mark, the path is laden with reminders of the stakes involved — on and off the field.
