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Iran's World Cup team navigates U.S. restrictions and pressure from Tehran

NPR | By Arezou Rezvani

Published June 25, 2026 at 3:45 AM CDT

Iran's World Cup team says it's the most oppressed team due to U.S.-imposed visa and travel restrictions. But those hassles pale in comparison to the pressures Iran places on its own athletes.

Arezou Rezvani

Arezou Rezvani is a senior editor for NPR's Morning Edition and founding editor of Up First, NPR's daily news podcast.

See stories by Arezou Rezvani