arts
Iran soccer team departs for Mexico ahead of World Cup as some team officials denied U.S. visas, Iranian officials say
By CBS Miami at CBS4 Miami
· June 6, 2026
· 4 min read
Iran's World Cup soccer team set off from Turkey for their training base in Mexico on Saturday, with some members of their entourage reportedly still without U.S. visas, before three group matches in the U.S. later this month.The Iranian Football Federation's secretary-general, Hedayat Mombeini, and
Key takeaway The Iranian Football Federation's secretary-general, Hedayat Mombeini, and its vice president, Mehdi Mohammad Nabi, were among 14 backroom staff and officials without U.
Why this matters in The Miami
Miami's large Iranian community will be watching the World Cup with great interest, and the news that some Iranian team officials were denied US visas will likely resonate deeply. The city's diverse population, with significant Latin American and Caribbean communities, also means that many Miamians will be following the tournament closely. As the Iranian team prepares to play in Los Angeles and Seattle, their training base in Mexico will be a key factor in their performance. Miami's own experience with international sporting events, including hosting teams from around the world, makes the issue of visa processing and fair treatment of visiting athletes a relevant concern. The fact that the Iranian Football Federation has accused the US of "vindictive behavior" will likely spark debate among Miami's soccer fans and community leaders about the role of politics in sports.
About this story
Original reporting by CBS4 Miami . The Miami surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit CBS4 Miami . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: arts ·
Published: June 6, 2026 ·
Source: CBS4 Miami ·
Reading time: 4 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Iran's World Cup soccer team set off from Turkey for their training base in Mexico on Saturday, with some members of their entourage reportedly still without U.S. visas, before three group matches in the U.S. later this month.The Iranian Football Federation's secretary-general, Hedayat Mombeini, and
When was this published? This article was first published on June 6, 2026 by CBS4 Miami and curated for The Miami readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by CBS Miami at CBS4 Miami. To learn more about how The Miami selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more arts coverage from The Miami, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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