Los Angeles: United States officials have confirmed that Iran’s national football team will be required to leave the country within hours of the final whistle of their FIFA World Cup 2026 group-stage matches in Los Angeles and Seattle, drawing criticism over the handling of the team’s travel and visa arrangements.
The clarification came on Tuesday after concerns were raised regarding the treatment of the Iranian delegation following its opening Group G fixture against New Zealand in Los Angeles.
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“We were clear this was the process,” Andrew Giuliani, Executive Director of the White House FIFA Task Force, told the Associated Press.
Iran, known as Team Melli, played New Zealand in a politically sensitive encounter on Monday amid ongoing tensions linked to the US-Israel conflict involving Iran. Following the match, which concluded around 8 p.m. local time, the Iranian delegation departed the United States within hours and returned to its base camp in Mexico.
The immediate departure sparked criticism, with observers noting that the team was denied the customary overnight stay and recovery period typically afforded after international matches.
Iran head coach Amir Ghalenoei said his players had been instructed to leave the United States shortly after the game, despite expecting to remain in California overnight to complete their post-match recovery.
The controversy was further compounded by visa issues involving Iranian winger Mehdi Torabi, whose entry permit expired after the team’s opening match. However, team officials confirmed on Tuesday that the matter had been resolved after US authorities issued Torabi a new multiple-entry visa, allowing him to travel back to the United States for future World Cup fixtures.
“This issue has been resolved,” the US Department of State said in a brief statement.
The visa arrangements and travel restrictions surrounding the Iranian squad have attracted significant attention as the FIFA World Cup 2026 continues across its co-host nations.
(This story is published from a syndicated feed)
