Iran’s men’s national World Cup football team has completed its arrival in Mexico, touching down in the North American nation against a backdrop of escalating diplomatic tension over United States entry requirements. The dispute has created an extraordinary logistical challenge for the squad, which will be forced to make repeated cross-border trips for its group-stage matches. Because of unresolved visa issues affecting team members, every group-stage fixture that Iran contests will require the entire delegation to fly out of Mexico, enter US territory to compete, then return to their base in Mexico after the match concludes. This unusual arrangement adds an extra layer of stress and disruption to the team’s preparation, at a time when squads around the globe are focused on fine-tuning tactics and building match fitness ahead of the tournament. The visa row comes amid long-standing geopolitical friction between Iran and the United States, which has spilled over into the sporting arena in the lead-up to the international competition. Football officials and fans have raised concerns that the repeated travel will impact the team’s on-pitch performance, draining players’ energy before they even step onto the field.