Iran World Cup team expected in Mexico as US visa row rages Iran’s World Cup squad is expected to arrive in Mexico early Sunday under the shadow of a bitter diplomatic row between Tehran and Washington, after the United States refused to issue visas for some team support staff. The Iran team departed Turkey, where they had been training, on Saturday bound for Mexico, Iranian television announced. They are expected to arrive early Sunday in Tijuana, a border city in northwest Mexico where they will
be based for the tournament’s duration. On the eve of their departure for Mexico Iranian officials said that 15 administrative and management staff had been denied visas. Adding to the tensions, Iran’s ambassador to Mexico said Saturday the squad had been notified that under their visa conditions, the team must enter and leave US soil on the same day as their matches. Iran are due to play their three group games on US soil, making the first World Cup to see a host nation receive
the team of a country it is at war with.
Iran World Cup squad, Mexico, Tijuana, visa row, United States, Iran ambassador to Mexico, US soil match-day conditions