Iranian Americans likely to hold protests as Iran prepares for FIFA WC opener
Los Angeles, June 16
Los Angeles' Iranian diaspora is expected to protest against both the government in Tehran and Washington DC as the Iranian team is scheduled to feature in their FIFA World Cup opener against New Zealand on Monday, in the backdrop of the West Asia conflict, reported Reuters.
The team arrived in the US for the first time in this tournament on Sunday, after receiving a warm send-off from fans at their base camp at Tijuana, Mexico and touched down in LA just as a deal to end the US-Iran war was announced. LA is notably home to the largest Iranian community outside of Iran.
Iran's participation in this World Cup was under threat at one point due to the backdrop of the war, which began in February when the US and Israel launched strikes against the West Asian country.
Iran had shifted its World Cup base camp from Arizona to Tijuana following uncertainty surrounding entry arrangements to the United States. The move came after weeks of concern over whether members of the delegation would receive the necessary visas to travel for the tournament.
The uncertainty about their entry and visa stemmed from their requests to shift their matches from outside the United States.
Iran is scheduled to open their Group G campaign against New Zealand near Los Angeles on June 15 before facing Belgium on June 21. Their final group-stage match will be against Egypt in Seattle on June 26.'The team's participation has been closely watched due to the strained relationship between Tehran and Washington and the broader political situation surrounding Iran.
The players have also found themselves under scrutiny amid domestic unrest and the country's ongoing conflict involving the United States and Israel.
Visa issues remained a point of contention even after US authorities approved travel documents for the players ahead of the tournament. Iran's football federation said several members of its broader delegation had not received visas, leaving parts of the support staff unable to travel.
— ANI
Reader Comments
As an Indian, I can empathize with the Iranian diaspora. We've seen similar tensions during India-Pakistan cricket matches. But honestly, using sport as a platform for protest? That's a double-edged sword. Respect for both the players and the protesters. 🏆
The visa delays and relocation to Tijuana show how much bureaucracy can mess with sport. Iran's players must have been under immense pressure—first the war, then the uncertainty of even reaching the US. Respect to them for making it this far. Jai Hind! 🇮🇳
It's ironic that the US hosts the World Cup while restricting visas for some team members. FIFA should have stepped in earlier to guarantee access. Football is supposed to bring people together, not divide them.
The Iranian team deserves appreciation for their resilience. Shifting base from Arizona to Mexico, dealing with visa issues, and still preparing for the World Cup—that's true sportsmanship. Hope the squad support staff issues get resolved quickly. All the best to Iran! ⚽
Protests are a fundamental right, but I worry this will overshadow the actual football. The Iran-New Zealand opener could be historic for the wrong reasons. Let's hope the players can perform without being distracted by the politics.
K Kavya N