Iran’s national football team arrived in Tijuana early Sunday morning to set up its World Cup base camp, but 15 members of the delegation still lack US visas needed to cross the border for matches. The team relocated from a planned base in Tucson, Arizona, to Tijuana after visa complications and diplomatic tensions made a US-based camp untenable.
Iran’s ambassador to Mexico, Abolfazl Pasandideh, confirmed the situation and said the team has been told it must enter and leave US soil on the same day as each match. That restriction means players will fly into the United States on game days and return to Mexico the same evening, adding significant travel strain.
Key Officials Left Without Entry Permits
Among those denied visas are senior figures in Iran’s football federation. Iranian state media outlet Tasnim reported that executive director Mehdi Kharati, federation secretary general Hedayat Mombini, and media director Mohsen Motamedkia were all refused entry. National team manager Mehdi Mohammadnabi is also reportedly still without a visa.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told lawmakers that the United States would not allow individuals linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) into the country as part of Iran’s World Cup delegation. Several players in the Iranian squad completed mandatory military service with the IRGC. Iran’s football federation accused the US of “vindictive behavior” over the refusals.
Tight Schedule Before First Match
Iran’s first Group G match is June 15 against New Zealand at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, roughly 120 miles north of Tijuana. The team will face Belgium at the same venue on June 21, then travel to Seattle to play Egypt on June 26. All three games require same-day round trips from Tijuana.
The squad spent three weeks training in Antalya, Turkey, before departing for Mexico. Pasandideh thanked Tijuana’s Chamber of Commerce, Mexican authorities, and Club Tijuana Xoloitzcuintles for their support in hosting the delegation. Mexico’s government had publicly offered to host Iran’s team after the visa problems emerged.
Diplomatic channels remain open. The US State Department said it issued “necessary” visas for players and coaching staff on June 5, but the 15 denied officials remain in limbo as the tournament approaches.
This story was first reported by Jornada BC.