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Iran Soccer Team Leaves for Mexico, 14 Officials Visa-Denied

6/7/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Iran’s soccer team left Turkey for its World Cup base in Mexico on Saturday.
Fourteen officials, including secretary-general Hedayat Mombeini and vice president Mehdi Mohammad Nabi, were denied U.S. visas.
The federation called the refusals “vindictive,” appealed to FIFA, and condemned Tom Barrack’s visa praise as biased.
U.S. officials said all players got visas while some staff were denied, with Iran to face New Zealand June 15, Belgium June 21, Egypt June 26.

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Story summary

Iran’s soccer team left Turkey for its World Cup base in Mexico on Saturday.
Fourteen officials, including secretary-general Hedayat Mombeini and vice president Mehdi Mohammad Nabi, were denied U.S. visas.
The federation called the refusals “vindictive,” appealed to FIFA, and condemned Tom Barrack’s visa praise as biased.
U.S. officials said all players got visas while some staff were denied, with Iran to face New Zealand June 15, Belgium June 21, Egypt June 26.