Iran is beginning its World Cup campaign against New Zealand in Los Angeles after being forced to train in Tijuana, with players allowed into the US only for matches and many Iranian-American fans refusing to support a team they associate with the Islamic Republic

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

By Rory CarrollLOS ANGELES, June 13 (Reuters) - Iran open their World Cup Group G campaign against New Zealand in Los Angeles on Monday in a match shaped as much by events off the…

Protests and tension threatened to turn match into political flashpoint