US Bars Iran World Cup Squad; Mexico Steps In as Host
β½ DIPLOMACY β Washington won't host Iran's players β Mexico just did. π LOOK CLOSER: Refusing Iran's squad entry isn't visa bureaucracy β it's the US extending conflict logic into civilian life. Mexico absorbing the team forces Washington to issue recurring transit visas to Iranian nationals during active hostilities. For Tehran, it's propaganda gold: Iran plays the world's tournament while Washington treats its athletes as combatants.