Eleven members of Iran’s World Cup delegation have been barred from entering the United States, while four others have successfully appealed visa denials. The Iranian team had previously accused U.S. authorities of refusing visas to key members of their support staff, describing them as “integral” to the squad’s preparations. U.S. officials, however, maintained that players themselves would be permitted to enter the country.

The visa issues prompted Iran to relocate their training base to Mexico ahead of their upcoming match against New Zealand, which is scheduled to take place in Los Angeles. The game is set for 2 a.m. UK time on Tuesday. The diplomatic tensions over visa approvals come at a critical time as Iran competes on the global football stage and navigates the complexities of international travel amid geopolitical sensitivities.