Iran faces same-day US exits after World Cup matches
U.S. officials said Iran’s squad may enter before matches but must leave hours after games in Los Angeles and Seattle.
By Sofia Marchetti · World Affairs Correspondent
3 min read
Iran’s World Cup squad must leave the United States within hours of each group-stage match it plays there, U.S. officials said, a restriction that has drawn criticism from the team after its opening game in Los Angeles. The rule affects Iran’s travel for games in Los Angeles and Seattle while the team is based in Mexico, according to The Associated Press.
Andrew Giuliani, executive director of the White House FIFA Task Force, told The Associated Press that U.S. officials had already set out the process for Iran’s entry and departure. He said the team would be allowed into the country the day before a match and would be expected to leave on the evening the match ends.
Iran drew 2-2 with New Zealand on Monday in a Group G match at Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood, California, The Associated Press reported. The game was played after months of uncertainty over Iran’s participation in the tournament during the U.S.-Israel war on Iran.
The Iranian delegation left the United States after the match, which ended at about 8 p.m. local time, and returned to its base in Mexico, according to The Associated Press. Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei said after the game that the team had been ordered to depart only a few hours later, despite expecting to stay overnight in California to aid normal post-match recovery.
Visa issue resolved for Iran player
The United States also faced questions after Iran winger Mehdi Torabi’s entry visa expired following the first match, The Associated Press reported. Team officials said Tuesday that Torabi had received a new multiple-entry visa, allowing him to travel to the United States for Iran’s remaining matches there.
The U.S. Department of State said the matter had been resolved. The department said that once officials became aware of the issue, they worked to ensure the player could take part in every game.
Giuliani said in an interview broadcast Monday night on CBS News that all Iranian players and coaches had been issued visas. He said some support staff and team officials were denied entry to the United States.
Asked why those staff members and officials were blocked, Giuliani did not give individual details. He pointed to previous comments by Secretary of State Marco Rubio about denying entry to people with direct ties to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Giuliani said Rubio had made clear that people with direct links to the IRGC would not be allowed into the United States, and that the World Cup would not be used as a reason to admit them.
Players criticize travel burden
Iran captain Mehdi Taremi said the team spent five hours on travel and security checks during a trip from Tijuana to the Los Angeles area on Sunday, according to The Associated Press. Taremi said FIFA needed to do more to help the team.
Iran is scheduled to follow the same entry-and-exit arrangement for future U.S. matches, Giuliani said. Under that plan, the squad can arrive the day before kickoff, play the match, and leave the country the same evening.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.