Iran’s World Cup dreams faced a major test this week as the team held a massive departure rally in Tehran, despite lingering concerns over US visa issues that could derail their tournament participation.
Thousands of passionate fans packed Enqelab Square on Wednesday night to give the national team a hero’s send-off. The players, visibly moved by the outpouring of support, made patriotic statements from a stage before unveiling the kit they’ll wear at the tournament, scheduled from June 11 to July 19.
“This is the best send-off in the last four World Cup campaigns,” Iranian FA President Mehdi Taj told state TV. “The players are with the people, and the crowd stands with the country’s dignity, honor, and strength. Whatever the result, may Iran’s flag be raised there and defended.”
The rally came amid ongoing uncertainty about whether the team will even be able to enter the United States, where they are scheduled to play all three of their group matches. The US and Israel launched airstrikes on Iran in late February, escalating already tense relations and casting doubt on the team’s participation.
Complicating matters further, Taj was recently denied entry to Canada for the FIFA Congress because of his connection to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which is classified as a “terrorist entity” in both Canada and the US. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has made it clear that anyone with ties to the organization won’t be admitted to the country.
Iran has placed the responsibility for securing visas squarely on FIFA’s shoulders. “Nothing has arrived yet regarding the visas. We hope it will definitely be handled within this timeframe,” said Hedayat Mombeini, the FFIRI secretary-general. “FIFA has made promises, and hopefully those promises will lead to results, and the players will receive their visas on time.”
The team will continue their preparations at a training camp in Turkey next week, but the clock is ticking. With the World Cup just weeks away, all eyes are on FIFA to see if they can deliver on their promises and ensure Iran takes the field.