Visa Delays Complicate Iran’s World Cup Preparations
Iran’s national soccer team touched down in Mexico this week as part of its final preparations for the upcoming World Cup, but the squad’s itinerary has been marred by a series of visa complications that still leave several support staff without entry permits to the United States.
Defender Ehsan Hajsafi, a veteran of the Iranian side, publicly criticized FIFA for the sluggish processing of those visas, saying the delay forced the team to relocate its training base from Tucson, Arizona, to the border city of Tijuana, Mexico.
The shift to Tijuana not only disrupts the team’s acclimatization plans but also underscores the broader impact of the Iran‑U.S. geopolitical tension on sports logistics, with key coaching personnel among those still awaiting clearance.
Adding to the uncertainty, the United States’ political climate has played a role: former President Donald Trump had previously voiced opposition to Iran’s participation, a stance that the Iranian federation pushed back against, insisting that no external force can bar its athletes from competition.
Despite the setbacks, Iran has finalized a roster that includes 17 players based at home, many of whom have been directly affected by the ongoing conflict. Star forward Sardar Azmoun was omitted from the final list, reportedly over a controversial social‑media post, while midfielders such as Hedayat Mombeini and Mehd i Mohammad Nabi remain central to the squad’s hopes.
The team’s schedule now sees its opening two matches slated for California, where they will meet New Zealand and Belgium before traveling to Seattle to face Egypt. The logistical chain stretches from Tijuana to Inglewood, Los Angeles, and finally to Seattle, each venue requiring fresh visa applications for the traveling contingent.
Iran’s sports minister had initially declared that participation would be impossible without guaranteed visas, yet the Iranian Football Federation, backed by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, continues to lobby for full clearance, emphasizing that the players’ safety and preparation are non‑negotiable.