Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran President Mehdi Taj, in a “rare interview,” blames the U.S. for “all of the uncertainty over Iran’s World Cup participation,” according to Tariq Panja of the N.Y. TIMES. Iran’s preparations for the World Cup have “unfolded against the backdrop of war, bellicose language and continuing doubts the national team will receive visas in time.” Taj said that the Iranian national team’s decision to prepare in the Mexico instead of the U.S. was “made with FIFA to minimize the team’s time in the United States.” He mentioned that those preparations have “disadvantaged his team.” Taj expressed “deep disappointment” that visa applications for the squad, which will play three games on the American West Coast, had “still not been approved.” Panja notes Iran’s World Cup presence with “no end in sight” to the war with the U.S. is “one of the biggest crises” in World Cup history. Taj asserted that a host nation “should not have the authority to disrupt” team preparations. He also said that Iranian officials “held productive talks with FIFA’s leadership,” including President Gianni Infantino, to “lay the groundwork for the team to play.” Taj: “We are only in contact with FIFA and are not in contact with the United States and don’t know what their thoughts are.” Taj said that visa troubles led the Iranians to “suspect that it was possible that the U.S. would create some serious problems for us” (N.Y. TIMES, 6/4).
LEAPING THE HURDLE: In Miami, Jacqueline Charles reported Haiti MF Woodensky Pierre, the only player on the national soccer team based in the country during the World Cup qualifying campaign, has “finally joined his teammates in Florida after running into difficulties securing a U.S. visa.” Pierre’s visa ordeal had become a “reminder of the immigration and political complications Haiti -- and several other countries -- find themselves facing” as the World Cup approaches. Haiti is among four countries -- along with Iran, Ivory Coast and Senegal -- in this year’s tournament whose “nationals face U.S. travel restrictions imposed by President Donald Trump after his return to power last year.” The measures have “complicated travel not only for fans hoping to attend matches in the United States, but also for the players and team officials, despite exemptions for athletes, coaching staff and federation personnel” (MIAMI HERALD, 6/3).
