Iran's Soccer Players Granted Visas, Will Play in the World Cup =================================================================

Iran's World Cup soccer players have been granted visas to enter the United States, just 10 days before their first match in Los Angeles, according to a White House official who spoke with Reuters. The visas were granted overnight, after Iran's ambassador to Mexico, Abolfazl Pasandideh, said the squad had still not received their U.S. visas.

Reuters had reported earlier that the visas were still pending, causing concerns about the team's participation in the tournament. However, a spokesman for Iran's World Cup federation couldn't be immediately reached for comment, leaving their official reaction unclear.

The sudden breakthrough in visa processing came after prolonged efforts by Iran to secure visas for their World Cup delegation. Iran had been struggling to secure visas for some members of the technical and administrative staff, with the U.S. embassy citing concerns over individuals linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guards, a powerful branch of the Iranian armed forces.

The team's participation in the World Cup is significant because it underscores Iran's efforts to reach a resolution in the war with Washington, with its ambassador to Mexico saying, "Iran's participation in the World Cup shows that Iran seeks peace."

Iran's participation in the World Cup has turned the tournament into a geopolitical contest, with both sides using the event for political posturing. It's the first time since the tournament's inception in 1930 that a host nation is set to receive a country it is at war with.

Iran is scheduled to play their first Group G match on June 15 against New Zealand in Los Angeles, where they will also face Belgium before taking on Egypt in Seattle. Ambassador Pasandideh said the U.S. had never formally said it wouldn't allow the Iran team to stay on its territory, but Secretary of State Marco Rubio told lawmakers on Tuesday that the U.S. wouldn't allow Iran to include in its World Cup delegation individuals linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guards.

Iran's Soccer Federation President Mehdi Taj, a former commander in the Revolutionary Guards, was denied entry for the tournament draw in Washington in December. This move sparked concerns that the U.S. was trying to limit Iran's participation in the World Cup.

Iran's participation in the World Cup has been a long-time goal for the team, and their visa delays have added to the drama. But with their visas finally granted, all eyes will be on the team as they take to the pitch in Los Angeles.

The U.S. had not yet issued visas to some members of the Iran team's technical and administrative staff, the semi-official Fars news agency reported on Friday. "Visas for some members of the national team's technical and executive staff have not yet been issued, and the U.S. embassy has so far refused to issue them," it said, without citing a source.

In response to the visa issues, Tehran negotiated a last-minute move of the team's base from Arizona to Tijuana in Mexico. This decision was made due to a growing feeling in Iran that the squad's presence in the United States should be kept to a minimum. The team is scheduled to land in Tijuana early on Sunday.

Iran is due to play their first Group G match on June 15 against New Zealand in Los Angeles, where they will also face Belgium before taking on Egypt in Seattle.

### Key Facts

• Iran's visa delays left the team struggling to secure entry into the United States. • Some members of the Iran team's technical and administrative staff were still waiting to be issued visas. • The U.S. embassy had reportedly refused to issue visas to these staff members, citing concerns over individuals linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guards. • Iran's participation in the World Cup has underscored its efforts to reach a resolution in the war with Washington. • The team has been granted visas and will play their first Group G match on June 15 against New Zealand in Los Angeles.