WASHINGTON (AP) – Members of Iran’s World Cup soccer team have been granted visas to the United States, two U.S. officials announced Friday, allowing them to enter the United States from the country. training base It was held in Tijuana, Mexico, ahead of the first two games this month near Los Angeles.
The team’s participation in the World Cup is complicated by the following reasons: iran war Along with Israel and the United States. Iran had previously moved its training base from Tucson, Arizona, to Tijuana, Mexico, due to visa processing issues. border with california.
A U.S. official said all players on the Iranian team have been approved for visas and are in the process of receiving them. Another official said visas had been issued to players, coaches, trainers and some support staff. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss visas publicly.
The second official could not say whether any Iranian applicants had been rejected. It was not immediately clear when the Iranian team’s passports would be returned for travel permission, but officials said it could be as early as Friday or Saturday.
The team has been preparing for the World Cup Training camp in AntalyaTürkiye before leaving for Tijuana. the team said so already have a visa From the Mexican Embassy in Ankara.
U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack credited the U.S. Embassy in Ankara for processing the Iranian team’s visas. “Sports transcends borders, and we look forward to welcoming competitors and fans from all over the world,” Ballack said in a social media post Friday.
Iran will play its first two games in Inglewood, Calif., on June 15 against New Zealand and six days later against Belgium, before heading to Seattle to play Egypt on June 26. Iran and the United States could meet in the round of 32 on July 3 in Arlington, Texas, if both teams finish second in their group.
President Donald Trump in March Iran is depressed He said he did not think it was “appropriate” for him to participate in the tournament and expressed concern for the “life and safety” of the players. The next day, the Iranian national team pushed backstates that “no one can be excluded” from the play.
Iran completed the team Monday will include 17 home-based players whose club has not played since February because of the war. Star forward Sardar Azmoun was reportedly sacked in March over social media posts that angered Iranian authorities during the war.
Iran’s sports minister said in March that it was “impossible” for the team to participate in the World Cup, but the country’s soccer federation announced in May that it was proceeding with the formation of a team. federation He claimed that Visas will be granted to all players and staff, including those who have served in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
