Key facts
- Iran will be the first nation to compete in a World Cup hosted by a country with which it is at war.
- The team's opening match is against the United States in Los Angeles.
- The match occurs amid intensified hostilities between Iran and the US.
- FIFA has banned the display of pre-revolutionary Iranian flags.
- Some Iranian officials were denied entry into the US.
Iran is set to make history by becoming the first nation to compete in a World Cup hosted by a country with which it is currently at war. The team's opening match against the United States in Los Angeles will take place against a backdrop of escalating hostilities between the two nations, following the failure of recent ceasefire attempts and peace negotiations.
Analysts suggest this scenario makes the tournament the most politically combustible World Cup ever, with the conflict between Iran, the US, and Israel at its core. Doubts had previously been raised about Iran's participation following comments from Donald Trump, but the team was granted US visas this week, though several officials, including the president of Iran's football governing body, Mehdi Taj, were denied entry due to past affiliations.
The uncertainty has disrupted the team's preparations, leading to a change in their training base from Arizona to Tijuana, Mexico. The squad will travel to Los Angeles on match days and return to Mexico immediately afterward, a pattern that will be repeated for subsequent games against Belgium and Egypt. The Egypt fixture has also drawn controversy as it coincides with Los Angeles' Pride festival, prompting protests from both Iran and Egypt.
Furthermore, an ideological struggle is underway between Iran's Islamic regime and its opponents regarding national representation. While Los Angeles' large Iranian diaspora might offer support, opposition to the ruling theocracy among many expatriates could dilute it. An officially sanctioned World Cup video depicting the players as representatives of the regime's ideology has been criticized as a "major own goal" by Alex Vatanka of the Middle East Institute. Reza Pahlavi, son of the former shah, has also criticized efforts to portray the team as regime emissaries and highlighted the persecution of footballers.
FIFA's ban on pre-revolutionary flags, such as those depicting a lion and sun, has further inflamed tensions, with opponents vowing to defy the ban. Iranian officials have warned that the team will cease playing if banned flags are displayed or anti-regime slogans are chanted during matches.