Iran Team Leaves for Tijuana on June 6 as US Screens World Cup Delegation for IRGC Ties
Updated
Updated · Al Jazeera English · Jun 4
Iran Team Leaves for Tijuana on June 6 as US Screens World Cup Delegation for IRGC Ties
3 articles · Updated · Al Jazeera English · Jun 4
Summary
Saturday’s departure from Antalya to Tijuana will go ahead via Spain, putting Iran in Mexico less than two weeks before its June 15 World Cup opener in Los Angeles.
US entry remains the unresolved hurdle: Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington will block any delegation members with alleged IRGC ties from “embedding” with the team.
Mexico visas were expected to be issued this week, but the federation has not publicly confirmed the status of either Mexico or US visas; Iran shifted its base from Tucson to Tijuana after FIFA talks.
Thursday’s final warm-up against Mali in Turkiye will be played behind closed doors after three Antalya friendlies during the war, as Iran tries to avoid a repeat of April’s Canada airport dispute involving federation officials.