When the opener against New Zealand (2–2) was over, the Iranian squad was forced to leave Los Angeles and return to the World Cup base in Mexico instead of resting in a hotel in the United States for one night.
That was a procedure Iran was reportedly aware of all along, according to the White House's so-called "task force" for the World Cup.
"We have been clear that this was the process," said Andrew Giuliani, head of the task force.
"The team is allowed to enter the US the day before the match and is asked to leave the evening after the match."
All of Iran's team leaders were barred from traveling with the team to the United States and were forced to stay in Mexico. Giuliani would not go into detail about why the leaders were denied visas, but echoed a comment by Senator Marco Rubio that people with ties to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) are not allowed in.
"Senator Rubio made it very clear: No one with direct ties to the IRGC is coming into the United States, and they are not going to let the World Cup be the reason they are allowed in," said Andrew Giuliani.
Winger Mehdi Torabi had only a one-time visa for the opening match, but has now been granted a visa for the rest of the tournament.
Iran will face Belgium in Los Angeles on Sunday, 9:00 PM Swedish time, and then conclude the group stage against Egypt on Saturday, June 27, 5:00 AM Swedish time.
