Iran player's World Cup tournament plunged into chaos as visa expires day after first game

Iran have been dealt a major blow after one of their players visa expired just hours after their opening World Cup fixture.

After a chaotic build-up with many complications with visa applications and a forced relocation to a base in Tijuana, Mexico, Iran kicked off their campaign with a 2-2 draw with New Zealand at the SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.

They then returned immediately after the game to prepare for their next fixture which also takes place at the SoFi Stadium against Belgium on Sunday 21 June.

But they have been rocked after one of their stars learned that his visa had ran out.

According to AFP, citing state news agency IRNA, winger Mehdi Torabi only had a single visa entry instead of the multiple-entry visa.

Though a large amount of staff and officials did have visa applications rejected, all of the players participating did obtain visas.

As per IRNA, the Iranian Football Federation "has taken steps to obtain a new visa for Torabi, so that he can accompany the national team in its upcoming matches”.

Captain Mehid Taremi is also understood to have had difficulties at LAX airport while Iran prepared to board a flight back to Tijuana.

All three of Iran's group games are in the United States, with their last fixture taking place against Egypt in Seattle.