# @cgtneurope on Instagram

- **Type:** Video
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DZkyztGCIc_
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/66728544-cgtneurope-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/32a66b6208.jpg
- **Posted:** 2026-06-14T17:37:34.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** CGTN Europe (@cgtneurope) — https://gondola.cc/cgtneurope

## Caption

Iran's national football team held its last practice on Saturday at its training base in Tijuana before travelling to the US for its first World Cup match in Los Angeles next week. ⁣
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Fifteen Iranian soccer federation members have been denied US visas, forcing the team to relocate their training base from Arizona to Tijuana at the last minute. ⁣
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The players were granted US visas a mere 10 days before their first match, which is scheduled for Monday against New Zealand. ⁣
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The visa issues have raised serious questions about the organization of the 2026 World Cup, the largest ever, that is being jointly hosted by Mexico, the US and Canada. ⁣
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The US State Department said the visas were denied over security concerns, while FIFA said it cannot dictate immigration decisions to host nations. ⁣
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Iranian Football Federation President Mahdi Taj explained the significance of a pin he wore during the team's preparations: "The pin I wear is Minab168. You all know these 168 pupils who were all less than 9-10 who were killed in a bombardment in their class in the morning, without any warning and at a time when our country was in negotiations.”⁣
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#iran #us #usa #football #soccer #worldcup #minab #newzealand #tijuana #losangeles⁣

## Stats

- **Views:** 1,241
- **Likes:** 56
- **Shares:** 0
- **Comments:** 1

## Tags

soccer, worldcup, tijuana, minab, newzealand, losangeles, iran, football, usa, us

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