The head of Iran's football federation (FFIRI), Mehdi Taj, stated on Wednesday that the US regime must issue multiple-entry visas for the Iranian national team ahead of the World Cup. This comes two days after FIFA confirmed the relocation of Iran's base camp from the US to Mexico.

Speaking to reporters in Mashhad, Taj emphasized that the US should grant multiple-entry visas to all players, as they will need to leave and re-enter the US several times. The Iranian squad has not yet received US visas.

Several team members attended visa appointments in Turkey last week, where they have been training. Players and staff who traveled from Iran applied for US visas, while those who had not applied before the US and Israeli attacks on Iran in February also submitted applications in person at the embassy.

The entire squad also applied for Canadian visas in case Iran advances to knockout stages hosted in Canada. The US and Israeli regimes launched attacks on Iran on February 28, sparking a three-month regional conflict. Despite a ceasefire, the US carried out strikes on Iranian military sites on Wednesday, and Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) retaliated by attacking an alleged American airbase in the region.

Iran will open its World Cup campaign on June 15 against New Zealand in Los Angeles, followed by a match against Belgium six days later. Their final Group G game is against Egypt on June 21 in Seattle.

FIFA confirmed on Monday that Iran's training base camp was moved from the US to Mexico at the team's request. Iran had originally selected a sports complex in Tucson, Arizona, but later sought a change. The team will now be based at Centro Xoloitzcuintle in Tijuana, Mexico.

Taj noted that Tijuana's proximity to the US-Mexico border could help resolve visa issues. He announced the move on Saturday, before FIFA made it official. The World Cup, co-hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico, runs from June 11 to July 19.

Source: www.aljazeera.com