America may be forced to relax visa entry ban on outlawed Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps after Iran reveals top players and officials did military service
Iran will take part in the World Cup as long as the US lets in players it officially considers terror threats.
The Middle East state wants America to grant entry visas to team members and officials who have completed military training with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps – aka IRGC.
It is a banned terrorist organisation in Canada and the US. Iran’s captain and striker Mehdi Taremi reportedly completed two years of mandatory military service within the IRGC Navy in 2012.
Veteran star Ehsan Hajsafi also reportedly served with the IRGC. Iranian Football Federation president Mehdi Taj, who served in Isfahan Province, was denied entry to Canada before last month’s FIFA Congress.
Coach Saeed Elhayi is said to have been previously denied a visa for his military service.
Iranian football chiefs have presented FIFA with 10 conditions for their participation at the tournament which kicks off on June 11 in the US, Mexico and Canada.
The nation – which is at war with the US – is due to play its three group games in the States.
According to the Iranian Football Federation it will compete ‘without any retreat from our beliefs, culture and convictions’ while insisting the hosts ‘must take our concerns into account’.
Its demands include a guarantee all players, coaches and officials travelling with the team will get visas including those who completed military service with the outlawed IRGC.
Iran is also seeking assurances its national anthem and flag will be respected.
And it has requested enhanced security at airports, hotels and stadiums.
Some requests are likely to prove easier for FIFA to influence than others.
Football’s governing body can help oversee tournament logistics, official protocols and the treatment of participating delegations during the tournament.
But questions involving visas, border controls and security vetting remain under US – rather than FIFA – jurisdiction.
Iranian officials reportedly want journalists to avoid questions beyond ‘technical football matters’.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has stated Iranian footballers would be welcome at the tournament.
But he warned individuals with links to the IRGC could face restrictions on entering the United States.
That leaves FIFA facing a delicate balancing act between ensuring the participation of all qualified teams and navigating the political reality surrounding hostile relations between the US and Iran.
Israel and the States launched wide-ranging strikes on Iran on February 28.
Iran responded by launching attacks on Israel and US-allied states in the Gulf.
Fighting has been largely suspended under a fragile ceasefire.
At the women’s Asian Cup in Australia in March a number of Iranian players tried to claim asylum sparking a tense diplomatic stand-off.
Seven members of the team were granted humanitarian visas while in Australia – but five changed their minds and returned home.
Iranian men’s coach Amir Ghalenoei recently acknowledged politically charged atmospheres could surround some matches at the World Cup.
A source close to the tournament said a solution satisfying all sides ‘could be tough to reach’.
“It could be easier negotiating a deal to open the Strait of Hormuz,” they added.