Fifa World Cup: Iran to travel to US day before World Cup match against All Whites
Iran’s national football team will travel to the U.S. on a charter flight one day before their World Cup match against New Zealand, as confirmed by the Iranian federation’s spokesman Amir Mehdi Alavi. Iran’s Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali warned that any unauthorized symbols or slogans in stadiums could lead to match interruptions, citing FIFA’s rules against political displays during the tournament hosted by the U.S., Mexico, and Canada.
Iran’s national football team delegation will travel to the United States on a charter flight one day before their World Cup match against New Zealand, according to a statement from the Iranian federation’s spokesman Amir Mehdi Alavi. The announcement clarifies a visa dispute that arose just days before the tournament, which is jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Alavi stated that for the following two matches, the team will arrive at the host venue two days prior to the game. Iran’s Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali issued a warning about the display of unauthorized symbols during matches. He emphasized that if any flag or symbol other than that of the Islamic Republic of Iran appears in the stadiums, or if norm-breaking slogans are chanted, team officials will intervene to stop the match. Donyamali also stressed that the tournament organizers bear responsibility for rectifying such situations. FIFA rules explicitly prohibit political symbols at World Cup matches, reinforcing the need for compliance. The Iranian delegation’s arrival logistics and Donyamali’s statement highlight ongoing sensitivities surrounding the team’s participation in the tournament. The World Cup, scheduled to begin soon, will see Iran play its first match against New Zealand in the U.S. as part of the group stage.
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