Iran have had major roadblocks in their participation at the FIFA World Cup. The biggest one of those is the USA, who are one of the co-hosts of the FIFA World Cup, attacking Iran and killing their Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in missile strikes four months ago.
USA and Iran have been at war since those strikes.
The Iranians only arrived in Los Angeles, for the game against New Zealand, on Sunday from their training base in Tijuana, Mexico — about 140 miles (225 kilometers) from the stadium.
Iran initially planned to train in Tucson, Arizona. But then USA and Israel attacked Iran on February 28, killing its Supreme Leader. After the war began, Iran planned to move base to Baja California before finally settling for Mexico.
FIFA has rejected Iran’s desire to play its group-stage World Cup matches outside the U.S., claiming logistics and contracts wouldn’t allow it.
The Iranian team is limited to brief trips into the U.S. for its matches, flying in the day before the game and reportedly flying out immediately afterward. Iran plays in Inglewood, California, again next Sunday against Belgium, before completing the group stage in Seattle against Egypt on June 26.
Iran has been beset with logistical problems since then, including the denial of visas for certain members of its delegation. A team spokesperson said Sunday that two members of its media relations group were denied U.S. visas for the opening match. Iran and its traveling fans also have faced multiple issues with match tickets.
(With inputs from The Associated Press)
