World Cup: FIFA Assures Iran Players Of US Visas Amid Regional War

Iran’s sports minister, Ahmad Donyamali, has said FIFA has assured the country that its men’s national football team will receive visas to participate in the World Cup in the United States this summer.

Donyamali said FIFA President, Gianni Infantino, gave the assurance despite concerns over Iran’s participation in the tournament due to the ongoing Middle East war and strained relations involving the United States.

Local media reported on Monday that Iran’s place at the global tournament had been the subject of uncertainty for months because the competition is being co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada.

The tension followed the bombing of Iran by the US and Israel on February 28, a development that triggered a wider regional war.

Speaking on the development, Donyamali said there was no reason why Iran’s players should be denied entry for the competition.

He was quoted by Iran’s local news agency, ISNA, as saying, “The FIFA president promised us that all our players would receive visas. There is no reason why our players should not receive visas.

“I hope that all the conditions will be met so that the national team can participate in the tournament in a calm and orderly manner.”

The minister said World Cup host countries were under an obligation to provide visas for all participating nations, including players, coaches and other members of the backroom staff.

The Iranian football federation said the national team would now be based in Tijuana, a Mexican city on the border with the United States, during the tournament.

Mexican President, Claudia Sheinbaum, also said on Monday that Mexico would allow Iran to be based in the country in order to avoid complications arising from US visa restrictions.

Donyamali said Iran’s national team was expected to obtain multiple-entry visas issued by the United States while based in Mexico.

He said, “In Mexico, the Iranian national team is expected to obtain multiple-entry visas issued by the United States.”

At FIFA’s congress in Vancouver last month, Infantino said Iran would play their World Cup matches in the United States as scheduled.

The latest assurance is expected to ease concerns within the Iranian camp as preparations continue ahead of the tournament.

The Iran squad is currently preparing in Antalya, southern Turkey.

Some members of the team were said to have visited the US embassy in Ankara on Thursday to submit visa applications for the World Cup.

The World Cup, jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada, is scheduled to kick off on June 11.

Naija News reports that Iran has been drawn in Group G and will begin their campaign against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15.

They will also face Belgium in Los Angeles on June 21 before completing their group-stage fixtures against Egypt in Seattle on June 26.

The Iranian team will be hoping that the visa process is completed without fresh complications as they continue preparations for the tournament.

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