Italy’s repechage to the World Cup: Iran celebrates but the situation worsens
Iran held a big rally to greet the national soccer team ahead of the World Cup.
Thousands of cheering fans gathered in Enqelab Square in Tehran on Wednesday evening, despite lingering concerns about the team’s possible entry to the United States and its participation in the tournament.
The players, who will continue their preparation next week at a training camp in Turkey, were enthusiastically welcomed by the crowd. They delivered patriotic speeches from the stage and were presented with the official uniform they will wear during the competition, scheduled from June 11 to July 19. “This is the best farewell in the last four World Cup appearances,” Iran Football Federation (FFIRI) President Mehdi Taj told state television. “The players are close to the people and the people are here in support of the country’s dignity, honor and strength. Whatever the outcome, we hope that Iran’s flag can fly and be defended with pride.”
Iran’s participation in the World Cup has been uncertain since the United States and Israel initiated the regional conflict with air strikes against the Islamic Republic in late February, and in recent weeks the situation has worsened. Federal President Taj was refused entry to Canada, a co-organizing country, for the FIFA Congress because of his ties to the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC).
The incident has raised fears that some members of the Iranian delegation may also have problems entering the United States. As in Canada, the IRGC is considered a “terrorist organization” in the U.S., and Secretary of State Marco Rubio has reiterated that anyone with ties to this body will not be allowed into the country.
Iran has put the responsibility of ensuring the entry of players and officials into the U.S., where the national team (Team Melli) is expected to play all three group matches, back in the hands of FIFA. “So far nothing has come about visas. We hope the issue will be finally resolved in this time frame,” said FFIRI Secretary General Hedayat Mombeini. “FIFA has made promises and we hope that these will be translated into concrete results, allowing players to receive their visas on time.”
On visas refused to some Iranian players, “I have heard these rumors too. I hope FIFA will intervene. We have always maintained that sports should remain separate from politics. That’s why, in our opinion, FIFA has a duty to make sure that all members of all teams can enter without any problems.”
A meeting between Iran and FIFA’s top brass is scheduled for next week in Zurich: Italy is an interested spectator in case the Tehran selection is forced out.
