Iran’s World Cup team arrived in Tijuana on Sunday, overshadowed by a bitter dispute with the United States. While players secured visas after weeks in Turkey, 15 support staff were denied entry, prompting Tehran to accuse Washington of “political interference in sport.”
Confusion surrounds the team’s travel conditions. Iran’s envoy to Mexico said players must enter and leave US soil on match days, contradicting earlier claims of multiple-entry visas. FIFA rules requiring pre-match press conferences add further complications.
US officials insist all necessary visas were issued but warned against attempts to “sneak terrorists” into the country, citing staff links to the Revolutionary Guards. Federation chief Mehdi Taj, reportedly a former member, was among those barred.
The row comes amid a fragile ceasefire in the US–Iran conflict. Iran will play New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles on 15 and 21 June, before facing Egypt in Seattle on 26 June.
