'The United States is a sore loser' - Iran team supporter blasts visa policy
Key Takeaways
- Iran's national team has set up its 2026 World Cup base in Tijuana, Mexico, due to US visa restrictions.
- The squad can enter the US for matches but must leave on the same day, creating logistical challenges.
- An Iranian supporter in Mexico described the US government's actions as "sad" and called it "a sore loser."
Fan criticises US restrictions as Iran establishes World Cup base in Mexico ahead of 2026 tournament
An Iranian supporter has sharply criticised US visa restrictions affecting Iran's World Cup preparations, calling the United States "a sore loser" after the national team was forced to set up its tournament base in Mexico.
Iran's squad arrived in the border city of Tijuana early Sunday, where it will remain during the group stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The move comes after visa restrictions prevented the team from staying in the United States throughout the tournament.
The team travelled from Turkey, made a technical stop in Spain, and then crossed into Mexico, where players and coaching staff were taken to a hotel near Estadio Caliente under tight security.
Among those waiting to welcome the team was Iranian citizen Sina Moghadam, who lives in Mexico and had originally planned to travel to Tucson, Arizona, where the team was initially expected to be based.
"Following the news. I was getting ready to go to Tucson, where they were first supposed to go. I was lucky enough that they moved the team here. So I try to come and visit them," he noted.
Moghadam did not hide his frustration over the restrictions facing the team.
"The United States government is a sore loser. You know, they always have to make an enemy of somebody to be the good guys. You know, it's sad. It's really, really sad," Moghadam said.
Although Iran will play all its Group F matches on US soil, the team must enter and leave the country on the same day of each game, creating additional logistical challenges.
The visa dispute follows US measures aimed at blocking entry for individuals suspected of links to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). While the 22-man squad and main coaching staff received entry through special athletic exemptions, many support staff members were denied visas.
Iranian Football Federation President Mehdi Taj is among those barred from entering the United States.
Iran will begin its World Cup campaign against Belgium in Los Angeles on June 15 before facing Egypt and New Zealand in Group F.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
