Iran’s national soccer team has been granted visas to enter the United States for the upcoming World Cup, as confirmed by a White House official to Reuters on Friday. This development comes just 10 days before the team’s first match in Los Angeles, marking a significant moment amid the ongoing tensions between the two countries.
According to Iran’s ambassador to Mexico, Abolfazl Pasandideh, the team had initially faced delays in receiving their U.S. visas. However, the visas were eventually granted overnight, as reported by the White House official. Notably, there was no immediate comment from Iran’s World Cup federation spokesperson regarding this matter.
While the majority of the team members received their visas, there were reports that some technical and administrative staff of the Iran team were still awaiting visa approvals. The Fars news agency mentioned that visas for certain staff members had not been issued, and the U.S. embassy had reportedly declined to provide them at that time.
The geopolitical tensions between Iran and the U.S. have now intertwined with the World Cup, turning the prestigious sporting event into a platform for political posturing by both sides. Amid these tensions, there were negotiations to relocate the team’s base from Arizona to Tijuana, Mexico, due to the visa challenges and sentiments in Iran favoring a minimal presence of the team in the U.S.
The team is expected to arrive in Tijuana early Sunday and is set to play their first Group G match against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15. Subsequently, they will face Belgium before taking on Egypt in Seattle as part of their World Cup fixtures.
While the U.S. had not explicitly stated opposition to the Iran team’s presence on its soil, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that individuals associated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guards would not be permitted in Iran’s World Cup delegation. This stance was evident when Mehdi Taj, the president of Iran’s soccer federation and a former Revolutionary Guards commander, was denied entry for a tournament-related event in Washington.
Iran’s Ambassador to Mexico, Abolfazl Pasandideh, highlighted that Iran’s participation in the World Cup, even in the U.S., demonstrated the country’s commitment to pursuing peace amid the ongoing conflicts with Washington. Pasandideh conveyed this message during a statement at the Iranian embassy in Mexico City.
Overall, the approval of visas for Iran’s national team members signifies a significant step forward as they prepare to compete on the global stage, showcasing their dedication to sportsmanship and international engagement.