Iran's World Cup soccer team leaves for Mexico -- even as some members still need US visas

Iran's World Cup team departed Antalya for a training base in Mexico on Saturday, while visa hurdles persisted for some staff ahead of group matches in the United States later this month. The federation said 14 backroom members, including secretary-general Hedayat Mombeini and vice president Mehdi Mohammad Nabi, were without U.S. visas, though reports suggested others had visas for players, coaches, and some support staff. Iran moved its training base from Tucson to Tijuana amid visa processing issues tied to broader tensions, and officials vowed to pursue the matter with FIFA. The squad flew from Antalya to Mexico, with games in Los Angeles, Seattle, and later Arlington possible.