Afghanistan, June 14 -- Iran will begin its 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign against New Zealand in Los Angeles on Monday, with the team's preparations overshadowed by political tensions and disputes surrounding visas for football officials.
According to Reuters, Iran entered the tournament under unusual circumstances after uncertainty over the country's participation amid regional tensions and ongoing diplomatic developments involving Tehran and Washington.
Iran qualified for the World Cup as one of Asia's strongest teams and is seeking to advance beyond the group stage for the first time in its history. The national team has regularly appeared at recent World Cups but has yet to reach the knockout rounds despite several competitive performa...