Flag bans, travel headaches and a religious regime video among bumps in road, as team prepares to be first to play in country with which it is at war

Iran faces visa hurdles and rising tensions as its team travels late to the US for 2026 World Cup group matches in Los Angeles and Seattle, with staff barred entry.

World Cup 2026 begins on Thursday, with Iran opening their Group G campaign against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15. They next face Belgium at the same venue on June 21…

Protests and tension threatened to turn match into political flashpoint