Iran’s World Cup has been shaped as much by border rules as by anything that happens on the pitch.
The team has been based across the border in Tijuana, Mexico, permitted into the United States only within 24 hours of kickoff and sent back the moment a match ends.
Head coach Amir Ghalenoei has described his players as ‘the most oppressed team’ at the tournament. The country’s federation has lodged a formal complaint with FIFA over the restrictions.
Now a senior figure in the Trump administration has offered a very different read on the same set of circumstances — and he wants his government to take some credit.
Andrew Giuliani defends US handling of Iran’s World Cup visas
That figure is Andrew Giuliani, executive director of the White House Task Force for the 2026 World Cup and the son of former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani. He has been the administration’s main voice on security for the tournament, and he is keen to present its approach as a fair one.
Giuliani laid out how the arrangement works, with Iran due to fly from their Tijuana base to Los Angeles for their second match.
He said: “We have a plan right now. As you and I are speaking now, [Iran] are boarding their flight in Tijuana to get to Los Angeles for their second match.
“I think once that egress happens after tomorrow evening — they’re done with their match tomorrow afternoon — they’ll take their 27-minute flight back to Tijuana.”
He defended the decision to move Iran’s training base from Tucson to Tijuana, then turned to the visas themselves.
He added: “With the base camp, the shift from Tucson to Tijuana, I think it was good for everybody. I would just point out that all 31 players were issued visas.
“I mean, pretty amazing. All the coaches have received visas. There are some team officials that have not received visas, and that’s because we’ve seen the derogatory messages from them. And, you know, this is the balance we talk about.
“We want to make sure we have an incredible soccer tournament where people are welcome — people that want to come and enjoy the World Cup — while also making sure that we’re protecting American citizens but we’re also protecting all those international visitors.”
The real SPAIN turned up against Saudi Arabia! 🇪🇸 Which players caught your eye the most?
How damaging is this result to Saudi Arabia's hopes of becoming a footballing power?
Iran have seen the same weeks very differently. Ghalenoi accused fellow World Cup managers of ignoring his side’s situation, saying none of them responded when he raised it.
On the pitch, though, none of the disruption has shown.
Iran opened with a 2-2 draw against New Zealand, then held Belgium to a goalless draw in Los Angeles on Sunday, with Beiranvand named player of the match after seven saves.
The Iran boss has also detailed the team’s lengthy travel delays and questioned FIFA’s logistics for the tournament. Even so, his players have taken two points from their two games and stayed unbeaten, refusing to let any of it show in the results.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
