Iran condemned the US refusal to issue visas to several national team officials and said it would take the case to FIFA before the World Cup.
The Iranian Football Federation condemned the United States’ refusal to grant entry visas to several national team officials ahead of the FIFA World Cup.
The federation said in an official statement that the US decision violated international sports laws and regulations. It said it would pursue the matter through FIFA.
Iran said the rejected visas affected key managerial and administrative members of the national team delegation. The federation described the decision as political and said it had harmed the team’s right to equal treatment during the tournament.
The statement called on FIFA to intervene and secure visas for Iran’s managerial, executive, technical and support staff. It said those staff members are currently with the team and remain necessary for its World Cup preparations.
The dispute comes one day after Iran’s players received US visas before their opening match. Some officials and administrative staff were still waiting for approval.
Iran moved its World Cup base from Tucson, Arizona, to Tijuana, Mexico, after earlier visa uncertainty and security concerns. The team will travel into the United States for its group-stage matches.
Team Melli will open Group G against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15. The team will also face Belgium in Los Angeles on June 21 before playing Egypt in Seattle on June 26.