Geopolitical strains test Iran's path at FIFA World Cup

China

Geopolitical strains test Iran's path at FIFA World Cup

2026-06-20 16:39 Last Updated At：17:47

Burdened by U.S. travel bans, visa denials and regional conflict, Iran's national team has overcome extraordinary off-field hurdles to compete at the ongoing FIFA World Cup.

Iran's preparations shifted from the U.S. state of Arizona to Tijuana, Mexico just weeks before kickoff. The team is now restricted to entering the U.S. only within 24 hours of a match and must depart immediately, a logistical strain compounded by the suspension of their domestic league due to war.

The friction peaked when several staff members were denied U.S. visas ahead of the opener against New Zealand in Los Angeles on Monday, forcing the team to exit the country almost immediately after the match.

That led to head coach Amir Ghalenoei saying Iran was "the most oppressed" at the World Cup.

"I think FIFA should be more fair to them. This is so difficult. Difficult for them, the transportation is super difficult for them. Going from here, getting visas to go to the United State is very, very difficult for them," said Jalal Tabatabaei, a person familiar with the national team.

Iran's top-tier football competition, the Persian Gulf Pro League, was indefinitely suspended on Feb 28, 2026, following the U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran.

Despite the geopolitical friction, Iran has enjoyed robust backing on the ground in Tijuana. Local fans packed the stands to cheer the team on, rallying behind them as they battled to a spirited 2-2 draw with New Zealand.

Next, they will face group favorites Belgium, and then play their final group stage match against a strong Egyptian team, but their fans remain confident.

"The players have a lot of personality. They can do it. I assume they can do it. It's a tough group. A tough situation with FIFA. It's not fair in my opinion. But otherwise, they have to do the best they can. They are fighting for their country. You can see it on the pitch very well," said an Iranian football fan.

This year's expanded World Cup features a record field of 48 teams and, for the first time, will be co-hosted by three nations. The tournament will run through July 19, with matches staged across Mexico, Canada, and the United States.

At least 265 Palestinian children killed in Gaza despite ceasefire: UNICEF

At least 265 Palestinian children have been killed in the Gaza Strip since the first phase of a ceasefire agreement took effect in October 2025, United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) spokesperson James Elder said on Friday.

Briefing reporters in Geneva via video from Amman, the UNICEF aid veteran called the death toll "absurd and devastating".

"Since the ceasefire was announced in October last year, 265 Palestinian children have been killed across Gaza. That is an absurd, devastating figure. During a period supposedly defined by restraint and protection, a child has been killed, on average, every single day for more than eight months," said Elder.

Elder also said that the children were not killed in a warzone but rather in their homes, schools while playing football or fishing. He also said that the Israeli forces are responsible for more than 90 percent of those deaths.

The disclosure comes amid growing international alarm over the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza.

On Thursday, Tom Fletcher, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, briefed the UN Security Council on the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip.

Fletcher demanded the immediate protection of aid workers and civilians, the safe, unimpeded humanitarian access to Gaza, the immediate and full restoration of operations at all Gaza border crossings, and the freedom of movement in Gaza.