Key facts
- Iran's World Cup soccer players have been granted visas to enter the United States.
- A White House official confirmed the visa approval.
- The team moved its base from Arizona to Tijuana, Mexico, due to visa issues.
- Iran's first match is scheduled for June 15 in Los Angeles.
- US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated the US would not allow individuals linked to the Revolutionary Guards in the delegation.
Iran's World Cup soccer players have been granted visas to enter the United States, a White House official confirmed. This development occurs just 10 days before their first match, amidst ongoing conflict and political tensions between the two countries. Iran's ambassador to Mexico, Abolfazl Pasandideh, had stated late on Thursday that the squad had still not received their U.S. visas, but the White House official confirmed they were granted overnight. Previously, Tehran had negotiated a last-minute move of the team's base from Arizona to Tijuana in Mexico due to visa issues and a growing sentiment in Iran to minimize the squad's presence in the United States. The team is scheduled to land in Tijuana early Sunday morning. Iran is set to play its first Group G match on June 15 against New Zealand in Los Angeles, followed by matches against Belgium in Los Angeles and Egypt in Seattle. The conflict between the U.S. and Iran has turned the World Cup into a geopolitical contest, with both nations appearing to use the tournament for political posturing. This marks the first World Cup since its inception in 1930 where a host nation is set to receive a country it is at war with. Ambassador Pasandideh noted that the U.S. had never formally stated it did not want the Iran team to stay on its territory. However, Secretary of State Marco Rubio had informed lawmakers on Tuesday that the U.S. would not permit Iran to include individuals linked to the Revolutionary Guards in its World Cup delegation, a restriction that could affect several players in the squad who have completed mandatory military service with the group. The president of Iran's soccer federation, Mehdi Taj, a former commander in the Revolutionary Guards, was denied entry for the tournament draw in Washington in December. Pasandideh stated that Iran's participation in the World Cup, even on U.S. soil, shows Iran seeks peace.