Four Iran World Cup Staff Win U.S. Visa Appeals, Eleven Remain Barred

U.S. visas after their initial applications were rejected, BBC News reported. Eleven other delegation members remain barred from entering the United States.

Iran accused the United States last week of denying visas to integral members of the national football team's backroom staff. U.S. officials stated that Iranian players had been given permission to travel to the country for the tournament.

Iran moved its World Cup base to Mexico over concerns stemming from the country being at war with the United States. U.S. visas, 10 submitted fresh applications after arriving in Mexico.

Four of those 10 applications were approved. The successful applicants include one member of the team's technical staff working as an analyst and two officials from the Iran Football Federation's international department.

Those denied include Iran Football Federation president Mehdi Taj, one federation vice-president, two team administrators responsible for day-to-day operations, one media officer, and one security officer. A second media officer chose not to reapply after the initial rejection. Iran play New Zealand on 15 June in Los Angeles, Belgium on 21 June in Los Angeles, and Egypt on 26 June in Seattle.

U.S. officials earlier this week. FIFA has said it is working to maximise opportunities for Iranian supporters to attend matches.

The FFIRI had presented FIFA with a list of 10 conditions for participation, including allowing players, coaches and officials who have completed military service with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. U.S. secretary of state Marco Rubio said Iran's players will be welcome but individuals with links to the IRGC could face entry restrictions.