The United States has issued visas to Iranian World Cup football players, allowing them entry to compete on American soil. This marks the first time since the World Cup’s inception in 1930 that a host nation has welcomed athletes from a country with which it is at war. Iranian Ambassador to Mexico, Abolfazl Pasandideh, described the team’s participation in the World Cup on the rival nation’s territory as a peaceful expression from Iran. Dated May 24, Kathmandu.
Despite ongoing military conflicts and tensions between the two countries, the Iranian World Cup football squad received their visas ten days ahead of their first match scheduled in Los Angeles. Ambassador Pasandideh informed on Thursday night that the team had secured entry visas, a decision also confirmed by a White House official who noted the approvals occurred overnight.
On Friday, US Ambassador in Turkey, Tom Barrett, validated the visa issuance via social media platform X (formerly Twitter), commending the US Embassy in Ankara for its support with the Iranian team’s visa formalities. According to reports from Washington, official confirmation of the Iranian team’s visas has been received. However, some technical and administrative staff reportedly have not obtained visas, as referenced by Iranian media sources and relayed by news agencies.
The Iranian Football Federation has yet to release an official statement regarding this development. Iran is set to play its Group G opening match against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15, followed by a fixture against Belgium in the same city, and will conclude the group stage against Egypt in Seattle. Ambassador Abolfazl Pasandideh, stationed in Mexico, asserts that participating in the World Cup signals Iran’s intent to de-escalate its conflict with Washington.
