Iran’s World Cup Team Faces Challenges in Mexico

In Tijuana, Mexico, the Iranian national soccer team prepares for its next World Cup match. The team is staying at the Marriott Hotel in Tijuana, where security is tight, with police and Mexican National Guard ensuring only authorized guests enter. Despite the circumstances, the atmosphere inside is lively as fans gather to support the team.

Lucas Zarrabi, a 13-year-old fan, traveled from Los Angeles to cheer for the team. Many fans have shown up from various parts of the U.S., including San Jose and Miami. They are supporting the team amid what they believe are unfair playing conditions.

The Iranian squad had to relocate its base camp to Tijuana from Tucson, Arizona, due to visa issues preventing eleven team members from entering the U.S. Restrictions also limit their arrival time before matches and require immediate departure afterward. Abbas Eftekhari, an Iranian-American, believes these challenges are both physically and psychologically taxing on the players.

The Iran Football Federation plans to protest these restrictions to FIFA, asserting that the sport should remain unaffected by politics. Hedayat Mombeini, the Federation’s secretary-general, stated that while these obstacles are challenging, they are using their national pride to persevere.

Iranian supporters, like Ali Eslami, have visited the team regularly, expressing their wishes for success. The team trains at Estadio Caliente, home of Liga MX’s Xolos, only blocks away from their hotel. For many fans, including those who have lived in America for decades, this World Cup is deeply emotional.

Even though some fans fear backlash from others in the Iranian diaspora, they emphasize their presence is driven by a love for soccer, not politics. Concerns persist about how protests during matches may affect the team’s morale.

Alongside Iranian fans, others celebrate the excitement. A group of Chinese flight attendants and local Tijuana soccer fans join in spreading hospitality and enthusiasm. Mexico holds diplomatic relations with Iran, unlike the U.S., making Mexico a preferred venue for Iran’s matches.

As Iran prepares for their group stage match against Belgium, local and international fans join together in support. As the Iranian players leave their hotel, they stop to kiss a Quran before boarding the bus, marking the departure with cheers and songs from their supporters.