US issues visas to Iranian football players for upcoming World Cup tournament

US Grants Visas to Iranian World Cup Football Players 10 Days Before Match

The White House announced that visas have been granted to Iran’s national football team just 10 days before their opening match in Los Angeles on June 15. The news comes amid a conflict between the two countries.

According to a White House official, the visas were issued overnight, and US Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack confirmed this on social media. However, it was reported that some members of the team’s technical and administrative staff have not yet received their visas, with the US embassy refusing to issue them.

Iran’s ambassador to Mexico, Abolfazl Pasandideh, stated that the squad had initially expected to receive their visas in time for their match, but the delay has caused a change in plans. The team is now scheduled to land in Tijuana, Mexico, early on Sunday and will play their first Group G match against New Zealand in Los Angeles.

The US Embassy in Ankara was credited with processing the visas for the Iranian team, according to Ambassador Barrack. Iran’s football federation has not made a statement regarding the visa issue.

The World Cup has taken on a geopolitical aspect, with both the US and Iran using the tournament as an opportunity for political posturing. The match between Iran and New Zealand in Los Angeles will be the first World Cup match between a host nation and a country it is at war with.

Source: Al Jazeera