Iran's World Cup soccer players have been granted visas to enter the United States, according to a White House official. The announcement comes just 10 days before the team's first match in Los Angeles amid an ongoing conflict between the two countries. Iran's ambassador to Mexico, Abolfazl Pasandideh, had previously stated that the squad had not yet received their visas, raising concerns about the team's ability to compete.
The team is scheduled to land in Tijuana, Mexico, early Sunday morning. Tehran negotiated a last-minute move of the team's base from Arizona to Tijuana due to the visa issues and a desire to keep the squad's presence in the United States to a minimum. Although the team will be based in Mexico, all of their matches will be played in the U.S.
Iran is scheduled to play its first Group G match on June 15 against New Zealand in Los Angeles. They will also face Belgium in Los Angeles before taking on Egypt in Seattle.
This tournament marks the first time since its inception in 1930 that a host nation is set to receive a country it is at war with, turning the event into a geopolitical contest. While the U.S. has not formally said it did not want the team on its territory, Secretary of State Marco Rubio told lawmakers that the U.S. would not allow individuals linked to the Revolutionary Guards to be included in the delegation. This restriction could apply to several players who have completed mandatory military service with the group.