Tehran:
According to The Mirror, as cited by Goal.com, the team will be allowed to enter US territory only on the morning of its fixtures and must leave immediately after the final whistle. Iran has reportedly abandoned its plan to set up a base in Tucson, Arizona, and will instead operate from Mexico.
Iran’s ambassador to Mexico, Abolfazl Pasandideh, confirmed the arrangement, saying: “We can enter in the morning and we must leave the same day.”
The reported restrictions come amid heightened tensions between Iran and the United States. Although visas have been issued to the players and essential support staff, the US State Department has defended the stringent checks on the delegation, citing security concerns.
“The visas necessary for Iran to compete in the World Cup, including for athletes and necessary support staff, have been issued,” a US State Department official was quoted as saying. The official added that the authorities would not allow the visa system to be misused.
Iran will open its World Cup campaign against New Zealand in Inglewood, California, on June 15. The team will face Belgium at the same venue on June 21 before concluding its group-stage campaign against Egypt in Seattle on June 26.
Neither FIFA nor US authorities have publicly responded to the latest allegations concerning the visa status of Iran’s support staff.
