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iran At least one World Cup match will be played in the United States, although Friday’s draw for the tournament avoided a group-stage clash between the geopolitical rivals.
The Iranian team, representing a country targeted by US air strikes in June and whose citizens are subject to a travel ban imposed by President Donald Trump’s administration, will open its World Cup campaign against New Zealand. seattle Or inglewoodCalifornia, on June 15.
Iran’s next two matches could be played across the border in Canada in Vancouver or Inglewood and Seattle. fifa The detailed playing schedule will be confirmed on Saturday.
The United States was drawn to play Australia, Paraguay and a third team to be determined in the European playoffs in March.
Iran’s participation in the tournament co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico has already presented diplomatic challenges.
Last week Iran said it would boycott the draw after it refused to grant US travel visas to several officials, including football federation president Mehdi Taj and general secretary Hedayat Mombeni. The federation later changed its stance, saying Iran coach Amir Ghalenoui would attend the event at the Kennedy Center in Washington.
It was not immediately clear whether Ghlennoi was present at Friday’s draw.
Security and Visa
Iran is among 12 countries on which the Trump administration ordered a travel ban on June 5. Another World Cup nation, Haiti, is also involved.
Exemptions were promised for teams and support staff traveling for the World Cup, but not for fans.
The Trump administration called Iran a “state sponsor of terrorism” and barred visitors except those who already hold visas or those with special visas issued to minorities facing persecution.
Later in June, Trump ordered the bombing of Iran with so-called “bunker buster” bombs and cruise missiles targeting underground uranium enrichment plants. Within days he declared a ceasefire in the 12-day war between US ally Israel and Iran.
asian football power
Iran is an established power in football, ranked 20th in the world by FIFA and second only to Japan among Asian national teams.
Team Melli, as the team is popularly known, is preparing to play in its seventh World Cup. Its most famous player is forward Mehdi Taremi, who has played for Inter Milan, Porto and now Olympiacos.
Iran’s most problematic diplomatic relations among future World Cup opponents are with Egypt.
Their diplomatic relations broke down after Egypt signed a peace treaty with Israel in 1979 and remained tense until recent years.
The government of New Zealand condemned the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in the custody of the country’s morality police in September 2022.
Iran in the last World Cup
Amini’s death, just weeks before the last World Cup, was played in nearby Qatar, bringing domestic politics into the stadiums where Iran played.
The team refused to sign the Iranian national anthem before its opening game in Doha against England, and there were clashes between fans and pro-government supporters in the second game against Wales.
Before Iran’s World Cup campaign ended with a 1–0 defeat to the United States, many fans demonstrated chanting “Women, Life, Freedom” to protest the government.
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AP Soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer