Passports of Iran’s national team were handed over to the US embassy in Turkey as a major step in the development of Iran’s visa. This is after Iran’s involvement in the event is still in question. This isn’t an administrative process. It is a more profound geopolitical level that influences football business. Iran and the United States are currently in delicate talks related to simmering tensions in the region.
This makes what is typically a straightforward visa process more complicated. Football’s governing body, Fifa, instructed Iran’s federation to make the change. This shows that there is a concerted move by soccer leaders all over the world to prevent disruption. But timelines have yet to be determined. This poses a risk preparer wise.
It is not possible to plan tournaments without having a fixed schedule. Delays in travel can impact training cycles, recovery schedule and tactical sessions. Iran had a scripted path from Turkey to Spain and then to Mexico where they were to set up their base camp. One obstacle is already taken care of in Mexico, where visas have already been issued. It’s still important to gain access to the United States, particularly for the matches. Any additional delay could make for a lot of cramped preparation time.
Even in the face of uncertainty, Iran’s strategy seems to be well-planned. Collectively presenting all passports may be indicative of a well-organized process. It also demonstrates an intention to meet all international requirements. This is an example of how external factors can impact on a player’s readiness to play football. On field form is merely part of the equation. Now it is all about logistics, politics and timing. If resolved in a timely manner, the impact could be minimized.
