Iranian Journalist Slams US Visa Restrictions for World Cup

A stark contrast has emerged in the way Iranian fans and journalists were treated during the World Cup in Russia in 2018 versus the current tournament in the US. According to Iranian journalist Mehran, who is covering the World Cup in the US for a European sports media outlet, Iranian fans were freely able to attend matches in Russia, whereas in the US, not even members of the sports delegation and press group were allowed to enter the country. Mehran himself was only able to gain entry due to his European passport. He expressed disappointment that his colleagues from Iran were denied visas, with only a limited number of individuals, including players and analysts, allowed to attend. The journalist, who has been covering the World Cup since 2004, praised the organization of the 2018 tournament in Russia, highlighting the excellent transportation and beautiful cities. In contrast, the Iranian team has faced significant restrictions in the US, with the team only allowed to arrive in Seattle two days before their match and required to leave the country immediately after. The Iranian Football Federation had planned to file a complaint with FIFA due to the limitations imposed on the team's preparation and movement.