Iran fans dismayed by team's visa quarrel

TIJUANA: Iran’s national football team arrived in the Mexican border city of Tijuana on Sunday ahead of the FIFA World Cup, receiving a warm welcome from a small group of supporters despite visa-related issues affecting several members of the delegation.

Fans gathered at the airport in the early hours to greet the team, expressing pride and support as Team Melli began its tournament preparations. Many supporters said politics should not interfere with sport and criticised the denial of visas to several Iranian officials accompanying the squad.

While players were granted visas to enter the United States for group-stage matches in Los Angeles and Seattle, around 15 delegation members were reportedly denied entry permits, including Iranian Football Federation President Mehdi Taj.

The World Cup campaign comes amid heightened tensions involving Iran, creating uncertainty over the team’s participation in a tournament co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada. Iran recently changed its training base from Arizona to Tijuana as regional tensions escalated.

Despite the off-field challenges, supporters remain optimistic about Iran’s chances of progressing beyond the group stage for the first time in its history. Fans expressed confidence that the team would remain focused and perform strongly against its opponents.

Security was visibly heightened around the team’s hotel and training facilities, with Mexican police and military personnel deployed. Some supporters said the arrangements offered reassurance, while others criticised what they viewed as the growing influence of politics on international sport.