Milan, 17 June (LaPresse/AP) – The Trump administration has rejected complaints from the Iranian national team that they were forced to leave the United States immediately after their first World Cup match, rather than being given a day to recover at a hotel, stating that this had been the plan from the outset. Andrew Giuliani, executive director of the White House FIFA task force, told the Associated Press on Tuesday that the US “had made it clear that this was the procedure”. Iranian winger Mehdi Torabi’s entry visa had also expired after the first match. Team officials and the US State Department confirmed on Tuesday afternoon that the player had been granted a new multiple-entry visa. “The matter has been resolved,” the State Department said on Tuesday. “As soon as we became aware of it, we took steps to ensure that the player could take part in all the matches.”
2026 World Cup: US rejects Iran’s criticism over visas, saying the rules are clear
Milan, 17 June (LaPresse/AP) – The Trump administration has rejected complaints from the Iranian national team that they were forced to leave the United States immediately after their first World Cup match, rather than being given a day to recover at a hotel, stating that this had been the plan from the outset. Andrew Giuliani, executive director of the White House FIFA task force, told the Associated Press on Tuesday that the US “had made it clear that this was the procedure”. Iranian winger Mehdi Torabi’s entry visa had also expired after the first match. Team officials and the US State Department confirmed on Tuesday afternoon that the player had been granted a new multiple-entry visa. “The matter has been resolved,” the State Department said on Tuesday. “As soon as we became aware of it, we took steps to ensure that the player could take part in all the matches.”
