The Iran national football team recently arrived in Mexico to prepare for the 2026 World Cup. The team landed in Tijuana amid rising tensions with the United States over visa restrictions. The president of Iran's football federation, Mehdi Taj, stated that players received permission to enter the US only one day before their first match in Los Angeles. This has sparked significant criticism, with Taj claiming that the US's actions reflect malice and a lack of equality among teams. A US administration official noted that the necessary visas for the Iranian team have been issued, but tensions remain high. Soccer in Iran is more than just a sport; it serves as a unifying force for millions of Iranians, with public support for the national team cutting across social and political lines.