Overview
- A team official said on Tuesday that Mehdi Torabi was issued a new multiple-entry U.S. visa after his single-entry permit expired when Iran left the country following its 2-2 opener with New Zealand.
- Iran is based in Tijuana, Mexico, and has been crossing the U.S.-Mexico border to play group matches in Los Angeles and Seattle, a setup chosen after entry and security concerns forced the team to abandon plans to base in Tucson.
- The Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran worked with FIFA to secure the new visa so Torabi can travel with the squad for the rest of the tournament.
- More than a dozen FFIRI support staff were denied U.S. visas earlier, a decision U.S. officials link to ties with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and that the coach says has disrupted player recovery and squad logistics.
- With the new visa in place Torabi can join Iran for its upcoming group fixtures, including the match against Belgium on Sunday, easing selection and travel planning for the team.