Iran’s World Cup players face US visa uncertainty over military service: What to know
The head of Iran’s soccer body said this week that some players might not receives visa to the US due to their military service.
The Iranian men’s national soccer team is grappling with the prospect that some of its top players may be denied visas to the United States for next year’s FIFA World Cup. One of Iran's top scorers served in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, a group the United States has designated a terrorist organization.
Visas in question
Mehdi Taj, the head of Iran’s Football Federation, told state media on Tuesday that the United States might not issue visas for some members of the team due to their service in the Iranian military. Taj said the federation has selected “replacements” in the event some members of the squad are barred from entering the United States.
The US State Department did not immediately respond to Al-Monitor’s request for comment.
