Iran to play in World Cup under unprecedented conditions: Same-day entry and exit from US

The Iranian national football team has been given unprecedented instructions to enter the country on matchdays to play in the group stage of the World Cup in the United States and return the same day after the game, Iran’s ambassador to Mexico, Abolfazl Pasandideh, confirmed the information.

‘Team Melee’ is facing such difficult conditions due to visa complications arising from the ongoing Washington-Tehran conflict.

Iran’s alternative camp on the Mexican border, excluding Arizona

Iran was originally scheduled to choose Tucson, Arizona, USA, to prepare for and camp at the World Cup, but they were forced to cancel that plan due to long-standing visa complications and strict conditions for entering and leaving on the same day.

Instead of Arizona, Iran has now set up its base camp in Tijuana, Mexico. The Mexican city, which borders San Diego, will allow the Iranian team to easily travel to the United States on matchday. “We will be able to enter the United States on the morning of the match and we will have to leave US soil the same day after the game,” Iranian Ambassador Abolfazl Pasandideh told reporters, explaining the visa requirements.

Iran’s match schedule on US soil

Iran is playing in Group G this year. Although they will be camping in Mexico, all three of their group stage matches will be played on US soil:

Iran angry over visa cancellation of 15 officials including president

Not only the rules for the footballers to travel in one day, but also the visas for the entire Iranian contingent have created major diplomatic complications. Although visas have been granted to the team’s key players and technical staff, the US administration has refused to issue visas to at least 15 administrative and executive officials, including the president of the Iran Football Federation, Mehdi Taj.

US officials have indicated that screening is strictly for people associated with the country’s Revolutionary Guards, which many ordinary citizens are also involved in due to mandatory military service in Iran, making it extremely difficult for the entire delegation to obtain visas.

The Iranian Football Federation has strongly protested the US decision, calling it “the worst example of political interference in sports” and has filed a complaint with FIFA. Tehran has also demanded that the US be held accountable for violating its non-discrimination policy as the host country.

This is the first time in World Cup history that a host country is hosting a tournament against a team with which it is in direct conflict, putting added pressure on the tournament organizers and security forces over the whole issue.