Los angeles: Iran forward Mehdi Torabi will continue playing at the World Cup after resolving a visa issue, the Iranian football federation announced. Previously, Torabi's visa had been declared invalid following his initial entry to the United States for the opener match against New Zealand, which ended in a 2-2 draw. Unlike his teammates, who received visas permitting multiple entries into the US, Torabi was initially granted a single-entry visa for the New Zealand game. He has now been issued a second visa, allowing him entry for Iran's remaining group stage matches against Belgium and Egypt.
According to Ghana News Agency, Iran's participation in the World Cup has been complicated by the country's ongoing war with the United States. After their first match in Los Angeles, the team was not permitted to stay overnight in the US and had to return to their base in Mexico. Coach Amir Ghalenoi expressed his view that the team is the 'most oppressed' at the World Cup. From a sporting perspective, Torabi's absence might not have been too impactful, as he is a replacement for Sardar Azmoun, the former Bayer Leverkusen player who was accused of unpatriotic behavior and did not play against New Zealand.
While Azmoun has been a critic of the Islamic system in Iran, Torabi is known for his loyalty to the regime. He plays for Tractor in the Iranian top flight and is a supporter of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which the US lists as a terrorist organization.