Iran’s World Cup squad lands in Mexico amid US visa row
Summary
Iran’s World Cup soccer team arrived in Tijuana, Mexico, ahead of the tournament due to visa issues with the United States. The US gave visas to all players but denied visas to some key support staff, leading Iran to base their team in Mexico while playing matches in the US.Key Facts
- Iran’s team flew from Turkiye to Tijuana, Mexico, after training there for three weeks.
- The Iranian Football Federation changed the team’s base from Arizona to Mexico because of visa uncertainties.
- The US granted visas to all Iranian players but refused visas to several important support and administrative staff.
- Iran’s squad must follow visa rules that may require entering and leaving the US on match days.
- FIFA requires teams to be present at match venues one day before games for press conferences.
- Iran’s Football Federation called the visa refusals political interference in sports.
- A US official said all necessary visas for athletes and essential staff were issued but expressed concern about security risks.
- Iran is in Group G and will play matches in Los Angeles and Seattle against New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt.
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