World Cup star’s visa EXPIRES after just one match with future at tournament thrown into doubt

Mehdi Torabi, a standout player for Iran, found his participation in the World Cup uncertain after his US visa expired following just one match against New Zealand. Iran chose to base themselves in Mexico instead of Los Angeles, despite all group matches occurring in the US, due to the ongoing tensions between the US and Iran over the American-Israeli conflict. With Torabi's visa situation unresolved, his future in the tournament hangs in the balance, potentially impacting Iran's chances as they prepare for their remaining matches. This situation underscores the complex geopolitical issues that sometimes intersect with international sports events.