Iranian football player's US visa expired after one World Cup game, Iran Football Federation says

The Iran Football Federation (FFIRI) announced that winger Mehdi Torabi's visa expired after he attended only one World Cup match in the United States. Torabi, who was an unused substitute in Iran's 2-2 draw against New Zealand, is known for his strong support of the Iranian government and his connections to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

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While multiple-entry visas were issued for the team's players to travel to the United States, Torabi's visa was valid for only one entry.

Iran's national team is based in Tijuana, Mexico, for the tournament, commuting to Los Angeles for their first two group matches and then to Seattle for the third. "While multiple-entry visas were issued for the team's players to travel to the United States, Torabi's visa was valid for only one entry," an FFIRI spokesman stated. "Following the team's trip to Los Angeles for the match against New Zealand and the completion of that game, his visa has now expired."

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Following the team's trip to Los Angeles for the match against New Zealand and the completion of that game, his visa has now expired.

The FFIRI is actively working to secure a new visa for Torabi so he can continue with the national team. Iran's next match is against Belgium on Sunday, meaning Torabi would need a new visa by Saturday at the latest to participate. Torabi has previously expressed strong support for the Iranian leadership and has been seen at pro-government rallies.

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The Iran Football Federation has taken action to obtain a new visa for Torabi so that he can continue to accompany the national team in its upcoming matches.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has stated that the U.S. government, which designates the IRGC as a "terrorist entity," would not permit entry to anyone with IRGC links. Notably, Mahdi Mohammad Nabi, Iran's World Cup team supervisor, was among 15 FFIRI officials denied U.S. visas for the tournament. Coach Amir Ghalenoei suggested that travel complications stemming from U.S.-Iran tensions have negatively impacted his players' performance.

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The US government classifies the IRGC as a "terrorist entity," and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said it would not allow anyone with links to the IRGC to enter the country with the players.