Iran Fans Gather at Tijuana Hotel as Team Faces Visa Limits
Several dozen fans gathered at the team hotel as Iran’s federation said U.S. visa and travel rules were hurting preparations, officials said.
- On Sunday, the Iranian national soccer team prepares for a noon match against Belgium while stationed at a barricaded hotel in Tijuana, Mexico, less than 150 miles from Los Angeles' World Cup stadium.
- Forced by the outbreak of war, the Iranian team relocated its base camp from Tucson, Arizona, to Tijuana after the U.S. denied visas to eleven team officials and mandated immediate post-game departures.
- Despite the barricades, supporters from Los Angeles, Miami, and San Jose gathered at the hotel, located 4 miles from the border, to encourage the squad before their second group-stage match.
- Abbas Eftekhari, who has lived in America for more than 40 years, said technical difficulties "are going to drain them psychologically and also physically." Negative fan interactions compound the pressure.
- Hedayat Mombeini, secretary-general of the Iran Football Federation, said Friday that "football shouldn't lose its power to politics," adding the restrictions negatively affect the team working to overcome problems with Iranian pride.
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Come inside Iran's World Cup hotel in Tijuana, where fans turn up to cheer
The entrance to the hotel housing Iran’s World Cup team in Tijuana is barricaded and flanked by police and national guardsmen. Fans flock from L.A. and elsewhere to support their team.
Associated Press News
Come inside Iran's World Cup hotel in Tijuana, Mexico, where fans turn up to cheer
The entrance to the hotel housing Iran’s World Cup team in Tijuana, Mexico, is barricaded and flanked by police and members of the Mexican National Guard.
Exclusive: Iran declares Mexico to be World Cup winner
The United States is failing in its responsibility as a World Cup host country, Iranian officials argued in a government statement shared exclusively with POLITICO that declared Mexico the tournament's off-field winner. “The 2026 FIFA World Cup is played not only in stadiums but also in the streets, airports and public squares,” said Mohammad Reza Gilani, cultural affairs adviser at the Embassy of Iran in Mexico. “And in this parallel competitio…
Come inside Iran's World Cup Hotel in Tijuana, Mexico, Where Fans Turn ...
Less than 240 kilometers from the Los Angeles World Cup stadium is the hotel where the selection of Iran is staying. Marriott’s entrance to Tijuana, Mexico, is blocked with barricades, guarded by police and members of the Mexican National Guard, who do not take off their weapons.
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