Ahead of Iran’s second World Cup group match, issues with entry into the USA persist. Pressure is mounting on FIFA regarding the Iran case. While US President Donald Trump celebrates a peace agreement on the global political stage, a ‘deal’ for the Iranian footballers is not in sight, even before their second World Cup group game.
Due to the unsuccessful request for earlier entry into the USA, the Iranian Football Federation has taken action by announcing a «formal complaint» to the world governing body. A statement indicated that they are «once again facing restrictions from the organizers that hinder the implementation of the coaching staff’s plans.» Given the early kickoff against Belgium on Sunday (12:00 PM local time), they had requested to travel to Los Angeles two days before the match to allow players sufficient preparation time.
However, their request was denied. «Team Melli» is only permitted to depart from their base camp in Tijuana, Mexico, for Los Angeles on Saturday. This raises questions about fair preparation conditions, which are deemed impossible under the current circumstances.
Iran’s Coach and Players Speak of ‘Disaster’ and ‘Oppression’
The Iranian Federation believes that «such restrictions are not compatible with the principle of equal treatment for all participating teams and could negatively impact team preparation.» Despite the reasons presented by the federation, the «request was rejected again,» according to a federation spokesperson.
Consequently, the tournament has become a series of obstacles for Iran. After the initial hassle of a last-minute change of accommodation to Mexico before the World Cup began, the team, coached by Amir Ghalenoei, also faced the organizers’ arbitrary decisions after their opening match against New Zealand (2-2), having to leave Los Angeles on the same day of the game.
Captain Mehdi Taremi described the hasty departure as a «disaster,» while Ghalenoei went as far as calling it «oppression» of his team.
Annalena Baerbock Holds FIFA and Gianni Infantino Accountable
This latest travel restriction casts a poor light on the world governing body. Unlike, for example, the IOC, which makes freedom of entry for all participants a condition for host countries at the Olympic Games, FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who is perceived as all-powerful in the football world, appears suddenly powerless and lacking influence over political decision-makers. He has offered little more than sympathetic words for the Iranians so far, and his camaraderie with Trump is clearly reaching its limits in the case of Iran.
The entry issue surrounding the World Cup has long since taken on political dimensions. Annalena Baerbock, President of the UN General Assembly and former Federal Foreign Minister, focused her criticism on the role of the world governing body. She stated on Thursday in New York that this is «a matter that must be addressed by FIFA at this World Cup and also after this World Cup.» After all, sport thrives on «connecting people and enabling people to come together.»
The US government had strongly rejected Iran’s harsh criticism after the World Cup opener. Andrew Giuliani, head of the White House FIFA task force, stated on Monday that Iran had been informed in advance that entry into the USA would only be permitted the day before the match. This applies to the two games in Los Angeles, as well as Iran’s final group match against Egypt on June 26 in Seattle.