Iran’s plans for the World Cup are in disarray after claims that the national team will only be able to enter the United States on the day of their matches, with the host nation being accused of “discriminatory treatment” over visa denials.
Key members of Iran’s coaching staff have had their visas denied due to the country’s ongoing conflict with the US, with the country’s embassy in Turkey lambasting the US government for “the worst possible form of politically-biased interference in sport”.
“Why do you not say that visas were denied to a large portion of the managerial and executive staff, technical advisers, and others who are an integral part of any national football team?” the Iranian embassy posted on X, referring to an earlier announcement by the US envoy Tom Barrack that visas had been granted to players.
“You have now escalated the deliberate and discriminatory treatment against Iran’s national football team to its highest level.”
The US State Department claimed that the “visas necessary for Iran to compete in the World Cup” had been issued and ***** erted: “We will not allow the Iranian team to abuse this system to sneak terrorists into the United States under false pretences.”