The United States has reaffirmed that the Iranian football squad must leave the country after each World Cup game. However, the Iranian Football Federation announced on Tuesday that forward Mehdi Torabi will be able to continue playing at the World Cup after resolving a visa issue.
Visa Issue Resolved for Torabi
Previously, Torabi's visa had been declared invalid after his initial entry to the US for the opener against New Zealand on Monday in Los Angeles, which ended in a 2-2 draw. While other Iranian players were issued visas allowing multiple entries into the US, Torabi was reportedly granted only a single entry for the New Zealand game. He has now been issued a second visa, which should allow him to enter the US without problems for Iran's remaining group stage matches against Belgium in Los Angeles and Egypt in Seattle.
Travel Restrictions Hamper Recovery
Iran's participation at the World Cup has been complicated by the country's war with the US, and the deal to end the conflict has not eased their difficulties. The team was not allowed to stay overnight in the US following their first match, being forced to return to their base in Mexico. However, they are allowed to stay the night before matches.
The team had expected to spend the night in California to maximize recovery after their opening game, but were told after the match that everyone had to immediately board a plane for the trip back to Tijuana. “They didn’t even give us time to recover,” Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei said through an interpreter on Tuesday (AEST). “After the game today, they said to us, ‘You have to leave immediately.’ It’s very important for us to have time for recovery, but we are asked to get on a plane and return to our camp in Tijuana, and we are really troubled by that.”
Andrew Giuliani, the executive director for the White House World Cup Taskforce, confirmed to reporters that Iran could continue to come the day before games but there was enough time after matches for them to go straight back to Tijuana. Coach Ghalenoei has described the team as the “most oppressed” at the World Cup.
Torabi's Background
Torabi is at the tournament as a replacement for former Bayer Leverkusen player Sardar Azmoun, who was accused of unpatriotic behavior. Torabi did not play against New Zealand. While Azmoun had repeatedly criticized the Islamic system in Iran in recent years, Torabi, who plays for Tractor in the Iranian top flight, is regarded as extremely loyal to the regime. He also openly supports the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which is on the US list of terrorist organizations.
