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06/07/26 11:51:00
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06/07 11:49 CDT Iran's soccer team arrives in Mexico for training ahead of the
World Cup
Iran's soccer team arrives in Mexico for training ahead of the World Cup
TIJUANA, Mexico (AP) --- Iran defender Ehsan Hajsafi criticized soccer's
governing body after the team arrived in Mexico on Sunday with some members of
their entourage still lacking U.S. visas, before three World Cup group matches
in the United States later this month.
The team's participation in the World Cup, jointly hosted by the United States,
Mexico and Canada, has been complicated by the Iran war. Problems with
processing visas earlier led Iran to move its training base from Tucson,
Arizona, to Tijuana, Mexico, which is on the border with California.
"First of all, we're very happy that the team has finally arrived, and we're
delighted about that," Hajsafi said. "Thank God, the team's condition is very
good.
"With everything that happened, visas were eventually issued. Personally,
however, I do have a complaint about FIFA. Why did it take so long? As far as I
understand, visas were issued only to the players and a few members of the
coaching staff."
Some members of Iran's entourage are still without U.S. visas before games in
Los Angeles and Seattle. Those include the Iranian Football Federation's
secretary-general, Hedayat Mombeini, and its vice president, Mehdi Mohammad
Nabi.
"Unfortunately, several key members of our coaching staff, whose roles are very
important within the team, were not granted visas," Hajsafi said. "That
includes the team manager, the executive director and the media director, all
of whom play very important roles.
"From here, I would like to ask FIFA to address this issue so that, God
willing, the situation can be resolved in the coming days."
Iran had been training in the Turkish city of Antalya. The team flew directly
to Tijuana, Mexico, which is just south of San Diego, on a private jet from the
Mediterranean city's airport.
Hajsafi was the first player to exit the plane with markings for German charter
airline USC, which arrived at about 5:05 a.m. He led the team, dressed in blue
blazers over white T-shirts, through a brief security check with Mexican
officials and dogs before boarding a bus.
The bus stopped briefly at the entrance to the Tijuana airport, where around 20
or so Iran fans waved flags.
Iran plays its first two games in Inglewood, California, against New Zealand on
June 15, and Belgium six days later, then heads to Seattle to face Egypt on
June 26. Iran and the U.S. could meet in the round of 32 on July 3 in
Arlington, Texas, if both teams come second in their groups.
In March, U.S. President Donald Trump had discouraged Iran from participating
in the tournament, saying he didn't think it was "appropriate" and raising
concerns over players' "life and safety." A day later, Iran's national team
pushed back, saying "no one can exclude" it from playing.
Iran finalized its team on Monday, including 17 home-based players whose clubs
haven't played since February because of the war. Star forward Sardar Azmoun
was dropped in March, reportedly because of a social media post that angered
Iranian authorities during the war.
Iran's sports minister said in March that it would "not be possible" for the
team to participate in the World Cup, but the republic's soccer federation said
in May that it was moving ahead with a team. The federation had insisted that
all players and staff be granted visas, including those who had military
service in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
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AP World Cup coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-world-cup
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