Four members of Iran’s World Cup delegation have won appeals against earlier visa refusals, while 11 others remain barred from entering the United States, deepening an ongoing dispute over access ahead of the tournament.
Iran last week accused the US of denying visas to “integral” members of its national football team’s backroom staff. The claims followed confirmation from Washington that Iranian players had been cleared to travel for the competition.
The situation has unfolded against a tense backdrop, with Iran already relocating its World Cup base to Mexico over wider political and security concerns linked to relations with the United States.
Appeals partially succeed
Of the 15 Iranian delegation members initially refused entry, 10 reapplied after arriving in Mexico. Four of those appeals were approved.
Those granted visas include a member of the technical staff working as an analyst and two officials from the federation’s international department. The remaining successful cases now form a reduced group of approved non-playing personnel.
Six others who reapplied were rejected again, while one official did not submit a second application after the initial refusal.
Senior officials among those denied entry
Among those still refused entry are Iran Football Federation (FFIRI) president Mehdi Taj, a vice-president, two team administrators responsible for daily operations, a media officer and a security officer.
Their absence is expected to affect logistical and media coordination around Iran’s tournament preparations and match operations in the United States.
Iran play New Zealand on 15 June in Los Angeles in their opening match, before returning to the city to face Belgium on 21 June and meeting Egypt in Seattle on 26 June.
FIFA under pressure
The country’s World Cup group-stage ticket allocation for supporters was revoked by US officials earlier this week, although FIFA has said it is working to “maximise opportunities for Iranian supporters to attend matches”.
The FFIRI had earlier submitted a list of 10 conditions for participation in the tournament, including demands linked to military service completed with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, has said players will be allowed entry, but individuals linked to the IRGC could face restrictions.
Iran was absent from FIFA’s annual congress in Vancouver after officials were turned away at the Canadian border, with authorities citing IRGC-related concerns.
Broader visa issues emerge
The Iranian case is not isolated. Other delegations and officials have also faced entry problems ahead of the tournament, including supporters from certain countries and Somali referee Omar Artan, who was denied entry to the United States.
Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter has criticised the situation, saying: “A FIFA World Cup host country must guarantee two fundamental principles: the safety of the country – and the unrestricted entry of all qualified teams, officials and referees.
“The case of referee Omar Artan from Somalia is against one of these obligations. FIFA must never compromise the universality of football.”
Blatter, now 90, left office following corruption allegations and was later banned from football for six years, though he was cleared in a separate criminal case.
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