Iranian team faces US visa delays as FIFA World Cup kicks off in Mexico
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Iranian team faces US visa delays as FIFA World Cup kicks off in Mexico
Iran's World Cup squad heads to Mexico via Spain amid visa delays
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The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off on Wednesday in Mexico City, marking the start of a six-week global spectacle that will stretch from Vancouver to Boston, featuring 48 teams and 104 matches across three host nations. FIFA president Gianni Infantino has promised an "unprecedented show" , but the tournament is already overshadowed by logistical controversies, political tensions, and last-minute policy reversals.
The most pressing concern involves the Iranian national team, whose technical and administrative staff have yet to receive US entry visas despite training in Antalya, Turkey. Fars News Agency reported that several officials remain stranded as the squad prepares for its opening match against Venezuela on June 11 . The delay has raised questions about Washington’s commitment to facilitating the tournament, which Iran’s players insist they will use to "represent our country and show how good we are," according to midfielder Mohammad Ghorbani .
FIFA has also faced backlash over its environmental policies, reversing a ban on reusable water bottles just days before the tournament began. After public outcry, fans will now be permitted one sealed 590ml plastic bottle per match . The U-turn follows earlier criticism of the tournament’s carbon footprint, with organisers under pressure to balance spectacle with sustainability.
Technological innovation will define this edition, from AI-powered player avatars to sensor-equipped match balls and even robot dogs patrolling stadiums . Yet the tournament’s scale—stretching 6,000 miles and 39 days—has also exposed operational cracks, including a looming strike by workers at Los Angeles’ SoFi Stadium .
Beyond the pitch, the World Cup arrives amid geopolitical tensions. Iranian Americans are grappling with divided loyalties, while the US team faces tepid domestic enthusiasm ahead of its home tournament. President Trump’s polarising presence has done little to stoke national pride, with hotels in host cities reportedly half-empty .
For the first time, underdogs like Curaçao, Cape Verde, and Haiti will vie for glory alongside traditional powers, while Haiti and DR Congo celebrate 52-year absences . As the Azteca Stadium prepares to host the opening match, the tournament’s promise of unity collides with the realities of a fractured world—where even zoo animals in Guadalajara are being asked to predict winners .
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