sports
Iran soccer team departs for Mexico ahead of World Cup as some team officials denied U.S. visas, Iranian officials say
Iran's World Cup soccer team set off from Turkey for their training base in Mexico on Saturday, with some members of their entourage reportedly still without U.S. visas, before three group matches in the U.S. later this month.
TL;DR
- Iran's national soccer team has departed for Mexico for World Cup training, with some officials still awaiting U.S. visas.
- The Iranian Football Federation claims the U.S. has acted with "vindictive behavior" and caused discrimination.
- Visa processing issues previously caused Iran to move its training base from Arizona to Mexico.
- U.S. officials stated that all players were approved, but some affiliated individuals were rejected for "false pretenses."
- Iran's World Cup matches are scheduled to take place in California and Seattle.