Iran Football Faces Visa Hurdles Amid US‑Israel War
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- United States and Israel began a war on Feb 28, with a ceasefire since Apr 8, creating uncertainty for Iran’s World Cup plans.
- Iran team spent more than two weeks training in Antalya, Turkey, and applied for US visas at the embassy in Ankara.
- Mexico granted entry permits to the squad, enabling travel this weekend and prompting a move of the training base from Tucson, Arizona, to Tijuana.
- Saeid Ezatolahi said the conflict and diaspora expectations in Los Angeles add mental pressure on the players.
Why it matters: Iran’s players lose a stable training environment and face travel uncertainty, while the Los Angeles diaspora raises expectations, adding mental pressure ahead of the tournament.
