The White House defended its handling of Iran's visa restrictions during the World Cup on Wednesday, with senior official Andrew Giuliani saying the team's decision to base itself in Tijuana, Mexico, rather than Tucson, Arizona, ultimately benefited everyone involved.
Giuliani, executive director of the White House Task Force for the World Cup, said the cross-border travel arrangements operated smoothly for all parties despite Iran raising concerns during the group stage and after its elimination from the tournament.
The Iranian Football Federation reached a last-minute agreement to relocate the team's base camp from Arizona to Mexico, citing uncertainty over whether players and staff would receive visas to enter the United States.
"It's important to point out that the Iranians chose to go to Tijuana. We were happy with that choice," Giuliani told reporters Wednesday.
"I think the Mexicans were very happy with that choice. I think the Iranians, as they said, were very happy with that choice as well.
