Thousands of supporters gathered in Tehran’s Enqelab Square Wednesday evening for Iran’s national soccer team send-off celebration, even as uncertainty lingers over whether the squad will be able to enter the United States for World Cup competition.
The players received enthusiastic support from the crowd as they delivered patriotic remarks from the stage, and organizers revealed the uniforms the team will wear during the June 11 to July 19 tournament. The squad plans to continue training in Turkey next week.
“This is the best send-off in the last four World Cup campaigns,” Iranian FA (FFIRI) President Mehdi Taj told state TV.
“The players are with the people, and the crowd stands with the country’s dignity, honour, and strength. Whatever the result, may Iran’s flag be raised there and defended.”
Questions about Iran’s World Cup participation emerged after the U.S. and Israel initiated the regional conflict by conducting air strikes against the Islamic Republic in late February.
Entry concerns intensified when Taj was denied access to co-host nation Canada for the FIFA Congress two weeks earlier due to his ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), raising worries that other Iranian delegation members might face similar obstacles entering the U.S.
Both Canada and the United States classify the IRGC as a “terrorist entity,” and Secretary of State Marco Rubio has declared that individuals with connections to the organization will not be permitted entry to the country.
Iranian officials have placed the responsibility for securing entry for players and staff squarely with FIFA, as Team Melli is set to play all three group stage matches on U.S. soil.
“Nothing has arrived yet regarding the visas. We hope it will definitely be handled within this timeframe,” Hedayat Mombeini, the FFIRI secretary-general, told state TV at the rally on Wednesday.
“FIFA has made promises, and hopefully those promises will lead to results and the players will receive their visas on time.”
Iranian anxieties were heightened by reports that some Iraq players had been denied U.S. visas, though both the White House and Iraq Football Association quickly disputed these claims on Wednesday.
“I just heard that news as well,” Mombeini added.
“I hope FIFA steps in … we have always believed sport should be separate from politics. So in my view FIFA has a duty to step in and make sure entry for all members of all World Cup teams is facilitated.”
Iran is scheduled to face Gambia in a World Cup preparation match in Antalya on May 29, and Mombeini indicated the FFIRI is working to arrange an additional friendly during their Turkey training camp.
