Iran's soccer team leaves for World Cup as some officials still await US visas

Iran's World Cup squad departed Antalya on Saturday for a training base in Mexico, as officials reported ongoing visa issues ahead of group games in the United States. Iranian state television said 14 backroom staff and officials had not received U.S. visas, including secretary-general Hedayat Mombeini and vice president Mehdi Mohammad Nabi; it remained unclear whether federation president Mehdi Taj had been issued one. The federation accused the U.S. of vindictive behavior, claiming visas were denied for key managerial personnel and vowing to pursue FIFA channels. The team had shifted its training base from Tucson to Tijuana earlier due to visa processing delays.