Iran will have to leave US hours after every World Cup match, official says

Iran's national football team will be required to depart the United States within hours of concluding each World Cup match, according to a statement from an unnamed Iranian official cited by the Associated Press on November 20, 2022. This directive stems from visa regulations that mandate the team's departure shortly after their games. The team's visa status had previously been a point of contention, with Mehdi Torabi, the team's manager, having to secure a new visa after their previous one expired following their match against New Zealand. The team had returned to Mexico after that game, necessitating the renewal of their travel documents. The strict adherence to these post-match departure timelines highlights the specific visa conditions imposed on the Iranian team during their World Cup participation.