The Roster Takes Shape
TIJUANA, Mexico — The Iran national soccer team arrived here Sunday, shifting its World Cup preparation base from Tucson, Arizona, to this border city after visa complications forced the move. Defender Ehsan Hajsafi led the squad off a private jet shortly after 5 a.m., dressed in blue blazers over white T-shirts, walking through a brief security check with Mexican officials and detection dogs before boarding a bus.
The bus paused at the airport entrance, where roughly 20 Iran fans waved flags in greeting. Hajsafi then addressed reporters, offering measured praise for the team's arrival but directing pointed criticism at FIFA for the delayed visa processing.
The table did the dramatic work without asking anyone to dress it up.
The Margins Are Thin
"Thank God, the team's condition is very good," Hajsafi said. "With everything that happened, visas were eventually issued. Personally, however, I do have a complaint about FIFA. Why did it take so long?"
Not all staff members secured U.S. visas before the team's stateside matches in Los Angeles and Seattle. The Iranian Football Federation's secretary-general, Hedayat Mombeini, and vice president, Mehdi Mohammad Nabi, remain without documentation. Several key coaching staff — including the team manager, executive director, and media director — were also denied visas.
The Next Test Arrives
"From here, I would like to ask FIFA to address this issue so that, God willing, the situation can be resolved in the coming days," Hajsafi said.
Iran opens Group F play against New Zealand on June 15 in Inglewood, California, then travels to Seattle to face Egypt on June 26. A potential Round of 32 meeting with the United States awaits in Arlington, Texas, should both teams finish second in their groups.