Iran's soccer team arrives in Mexico for training ahead of the World Cup
Source: Associated Press, via WTOP
Iran’s soccer team arrives in Mexico for training ahead of the World Cup
The Associated Press
June 7, 2026, 12:49 PM
TIJUANA, Mexico (AP) — Iran defender Ehsan Hajsafi criticized soccer’s governing body after the team arrived in Mexico on Sunday with some members of their entourage still lacking U.S. visas, before three World Cup group matches in the United States later this month.
The team’s participation in the World Cup, jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada, has been complicated by the Iran war. Problems with processing visas earlier led Iran to move its training base from Tucson, Arizona, to Tijuana, Mexico, which is on the border with California.
“First of all, we’re very happy that the team has finally arrived, and we’re delighted about that,” Hajsafi said. “Thank God, the team’s condition is very good.
“With everything that happened, visas were eventually issued. Personally, however, I do have a complaint about FIFA. Why did it take so long? As far as I understand, visas were issued only to the players and a few members of the coaching staff.”
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Read more: https://wtop.com/national/2026/06/irans-soccer-team-arrives-in-mexico-for-training-ahead-of-the-world-cup-2/