Iran faces ideological and logistical pressures at World Cup in US

Iran will become the first country in World Cup history to compete on the soil of a host nation with which it is at war. Its opening match against New Zealand in Los Angeles comes amid continuing hostilities between Iran and the US, after a fragile ceasefire failed to hold and attempts at a negotiated settlement sputtered.

Jules Boykoff called it 'the most politically combustible World Cup ever', saying the Iran-United States-Israel war sits at the centre of the tournament. Visas for squad members were granted only this week, though several officials were denied entry, including Mehdi Taj because he once belonged to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

The uncertainty has upended preparations and created organisational headaches: the team shifted its training base from Arizona to Tijuana after three weeks in Turkey, will travel to Los Angeles on match day and return immediately, and plans to follow the same pattern for games against Belgium and Egypt.

United States, Los Angeles

iran, world cup, united states, los angeles, new zealand, visas, mehdi taj, irgc, tijuana, training base