Iran's World Cup players get U.S. visas, but officials denied entry

The Iranian national football team players have successfully obtained visas to enter the United States for the upcoming World Cup. U.S. authorities confirmed the visas on Friday, a crucial development just ten days before Iran's opening match against New Zealand in Los Angeles.

This confirmation follows uncertainty, as Iran's ambassador to Mexico, Abolfazl Pasandideh, had stated on Thursday that visas had not yet been issued. The Iranian news agency Tasnim reported that not all individuals traveling with the team received their visas. Notably, the head of the Iranian Football Federation, Mehdi Taj, along with Secretary General Hedayat Mombini, Operations Director Mehdi Kharati, and Media Manager Mohsen Motamedkia, are among those denied entry.

These officials are expected to travel with the team to Mexico while efforts continue to resolve their visa issues. Due to these visa complications, Iran has relocated its team base from Arizona to Tijuana, Mexico, with the team scheduled to arrive on Sunday.

The Iranian Football Federation reacted strongly to the visa denials for its officials, labeling the U.S. decision as "unsportsmanlike and completely political." The federation announced its intention to escalate the matter to the International Football Federation (FIFA), asserting that FIFA has a responsibility to ensure that all necessary team personnel can participate in the tournament. The federation's statement emphasized that the leadership, coaching, and support staff must be allowed to attend.

This situation is further complicated by past statements from U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who previously indicated that the U.S. would not admit individuals with ties to Iran's Revolutionary Guard. Mehdi Taj, the head of the Iranian Football Federation, is a former commander of the Revolutionary Guard, which may be a factor in his visa denial. Iran is scheduled to begin its World Cup campaign on June 15 against New Zealand, with Belgium and Egypt also in their group.