Members of Iran's World Cup delegation who were denied U.S. visas gathered with Tijuana's Mexican community on Monday to watch the national team's tournament opener against New Zealand, joined by Iran's ambassador to Mexico, Abolfazl Pasandideh.

Among them was Mehdi Mohammad Nabi, who ran squad operations for Iran at the 2018 and 2022 World Cups and remained one of 11 federation members still shut out of the U.S. after four of an original 15 visa denials were reversed in recent days.

Nabi said the situation left him feeling sad and unable to be with the team in person, though he voiced confidence the players knew the delegation's support stood behind them, while Pasandideh said the squad was doing everything it could to show it had arrived in a spirit of peace. On the field, Iran twice came back from behind to draw 2-2 with New Zealand in a lively Group stage clash at Los Angeles Stadium.

For more, check out our exclusive content on CGTN Now and subscribe to our weekly newsletter, The China Report.