The final days before the World Cup have carried a very different tone from the usual excitement, with immigration policy now sitting near the center of the tournament build-up.
Omar Artan being refused entry to the United States has already caused major anger, while other travel cases have added to the uneasy global climate around the competition.
Iran have been at the center of several flashpoints too, from visa issues to fan access and security concerns. Now Mehdi Taremi has shared how the political side of this World Cup is being felt by players before the football even begins, and his comments underline why this tournament already feels so tense.
Mehdi Taremi opens up on US visa tension before World Cup
Iran’s tournament has been shaped by travel and supporter issues, with the Iran World Cup restrictions making it difficult for them to feel settled and ready for the intensity of competition ahead of them.
Speaking to ESPN, Taremi said this tournament does not currently have the usual feel of a World Cup.
“I’ve been to three World Cups and they always say once you get off the plane and you enter the host country, there’s just a unique atmosphere of friendliness and global-ness.”
That is the feeling many players and fans expect when the tournament comes around. But Taremi said the reality around this edition feels different.
“Unfortunately, I’m not feeling it right now. There’s a lot of tension right now in this World Cup. You feel it in the atmosphere and unfortunately, it’s because of actions like [visa denials]. Maybe that’s just my personal feeling.”
Iran are not the only team to face uncomfortable travel questions. Iraq striker Aymen Hussein was held for nearly seven hours by US immigration officials.
There is a different feel about this World Cup, at least in the final hours before the action gets underway. Once the football starts, players will hope the focus finally moves back onto the pitch.
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