The Iranian government has expressed strong disapproval towards the United States, labeling its actions as “discriminatory treatment” regarding visa refusals for certain members of its national football team delegation ahead of the World Cup.
In a statement posted on X, the Iranian embassy in Turkey questioned,
“Why do you not say that visas were denied to a large portion of the managerial and executive staff, technical advisers, and others who are an integral part of any national football team?”
The embassy’s remarks followed an earlier announcement from US envoy Tom Barrack, who stated that visas had been issued to the players. The embassy accused the US of escalating its discriminatory treatment against Iran’s national team.
According to Iran’s semi-official news agency, Tasnim, key individuals lacking visas include executive director Mehdi Kharati, football federation secretary general Hedayat Mombini, and media director Mohsen Motamedkia. Meanwhile, those without visas are expected to travel to Mexico with the team while attempts to secure their visas are ongoing.
This reaction from Iran comes after a White House representative confirmed that the players had been granted their visas to enter the US, just ten days prior to their initial match in Los Angeles amid the ongoing tensions between the two nations.
Abolfazl Pasandideh, Iran’s ambassador to Mexico, remarked on Thursday that the team had not yet received their US visas, although a White House official indicated that these were granted overnight.
Efforts to relocate the team’s base from Arizona to Tijuana were made due to visa complications and a growing sentiment in Iran advocating for minimal exposure of the squad within the US. The team is scheduled to arrive in Tijuana on Sunday morning.
Upcoming Matches and Challenges
Iran is set to kick off its Group G campaign on June 15 against New Zealand in Los Angeles. The squad will also face Belgium on June 21 and conclude the group stage with a match against Egypt in Seattle on June 26.
Despite the visa complications, Pasandideh stated that the US has not officially communicated any desire to prevent the Iranian team from remaining on its soil.
However, Secretary of State Marco Rubio informed lawmakers on Tuesday that the US would prohibit individuals associated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps from being part of Iran’s World Cup delegation. Notably, several players on the Iranian team have completed mandatory military service with this group.
