Iran’s national soccer team has departed from Turkey to their training base in Mexico, facing visa challenges as they prepare for upcoming World Cup matches in the United States. The Iranian Football Federation reports that several key officials, including the secretary-general and vice president, have yet to receive U.S. visas. This situation arises amidst ongoing tensions related to the Iran war, which previously forced the team to relocate their training base from Tucson, Arizona, to Tijuana, Mexico.
Visa Complications and Accusations
The Iranian Football Federation has accused the United States of discriminatory practices, citing the denial of visas to essential managerial and administrative staff. They argue that this decision undermines the fairness of the competition and plan to address the issue with FIFA. Despite these challenges, all players have been granted visas, allowing the team to participate in matches scheduled in Los Angeles and Seattle.
The Iranian Embassy in Ankara criticized a congratulatory social media post by U.S. Ambassador Tom Barrack, which praised his staff for processing the team’s visas. The embassy’s response highlighted concerns over perceived political interference in sports.
World Cup Preparations
Iran’s team has been training in Antalya, Turkey, and has secured Mexican visas for their stay in Tijuana. The team is set to play against New Zealand and Belgium in California, followed by a match against Egypt in Seattle. There is potential for Iran to face the U.S. in the round of 32, should both teams advance from their groups.
In March, U.S. President Donald Trump expressed concerns over Iran’s participation in the tournament, citing safety issues. However, Iran’s soccer federation has remained steadfast in its commitment to compete, finalizing a team that includes 17 players from domestic clubs affected by the ongoing war. The federation has also insisted on visa approvals for all team members, including those with military ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.
