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World Cup 2026: Iran win four visa appeals but 11 staff still banned

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Four members of Iran’s World Cup delegation have won appeals against having their visa applications for entry to the United States rejected.

But 11 members of the party will not be allowed to travel to the US when their team plays matches there.

Iran last week accused the US of denying visas to “integral” members of its national football team’s backroom staff.

That was after officials in Washington said Iranian players had been given permission to travel to the country for the tournament.

Iran have already moved their World Cup base to Mexico over concerns stemming from the country being at war with the United States.

Of the 15 Iranian delegation members initially denied US visas, 10 submitted fresh applications after arriving in Mexico.

Four of those appeals were successful, it has been revealed. Those granted visas include a member of the team’s technical staff working as an analyst and two officials from the federation’s international department.

The remaining six applicants were rejected again. They include Iran Football Federation (FFIRI) president Mehdi Taj, one of the federation’s vice-presidents, two team administrators responsible for day-to-day operations, a media officer and a security officer.

A second media officer chose not to reapply for a visa after the initial rejection.

Iran play New Zealand on 15 June in Los Angeles in their first game of the tournament, which is being co-hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States.

They will return to the city to face Belgium on 21 June, before meeting Egypt in Seattle on 26 June.

The country’s World Cup group-stage ticket allocation for supporters was revoked by US officials earlier this week, though Fifa has insisted it is working to “maximise opportunities for Iranian supporters to attend matches”.

The FFIRI had previously presented Fifa with a list of 10 conditions for their participation in the World Cup, including allowing players, coaches and officials who have completed military service with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

US secretary of state Marco Rubio had said Iran’s players will be welcome at the tournament but individuals with links to the IRGC could face entry restrictions.

Iran was not represented at a meeting of Fifa’s annual congress in Vancouver in April after officials were turned away at the Canadian border, with Canadian officials citing the IRGC links of delegation members.

Fifa does not place a limit on how many people are in a nation’s World Cup delegation, though it will only cover costs of up to 50 individuals.

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How to watch Aces vs. Liberty: TV channel and streaming options for August 9

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The New York Liberty (19-13) hope to build on a three-game win streak when they host the Las Vegas Aces (22-10) at 12:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, August 9, 2026 at Barclays Center. The contest airs on ABC.

How to watch Las Vegas Aces vs. New York Liberty

Las Vegas vs. New York odds

  • Spread: New York -11.5 (-110), Las Vegas +11.5 (-110)
  • Favorite Moneyline: New York -556
  • Underdog Moneyline: Las Vegas +400
  • Total: 176.5
  • Total Over Odds: -105
  • Total Under Odds: -115

Injury reports

Liberty

Leonie Fiebich: Out (Foot),

Satou Sabally: Out (Concussion Protocol)

Aces

Chelsea Gray: Out (Rest),

A’ja Wilson: Out (Rest),

Jackie Young: Out (Rest),

Janiah Barker: Out For Season (Leg)

Stats to know

  • The 90.1 points per game the Liberty score are just 3.2 more points than the Aces give up (86.9).
  • Las Vegas scores just 4.2 more points per game (91.7) than New York allows (87.5).
  • Jonquel Jones averages 14.6 points, 9.1 boards and 2.9 assists per contest, while shooting 48.2% from the field and 37.4% from beyond the arc with 1.8 made treys per contest.
  • NaLyssa Smith averages 12.2 points, 0.9 assists and 6.1 boards per game.

This watch guide was created using technology provided by Data Skrive.

Betting/odds, ticketing and streaming links in this article are provided by partners of The Athletic. Restrictions may apply. The Athletic maintains full editorial independence. Partners have no control over or input into the reporting or editing process and do not review stories before publication.

Photo: Julio Aguilar, Ethan Miller, Steph Chambers / Getty Images

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How to watch Reds vs. Nationals: TV channel and streaming options for August 9

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Eugenio Suarez rides a two-game homer streak into the Cincinnati Reds’ game versus the Washington Nationals at 12:15 p.m. ET on Sunday, at Nationals Park. Brad Lord (5-2, 3.81 ERA) gets the start for the Nationals, who are 58-61 this season and fourth in the NL East. Brady Singer (5-10, 4.67 ERA) is the expected starter for the Reds, who are 56-60 and fifth in the NL Central.

How to watch Cincinnati Reds vs. Washington Nationals

Reds vs. Nationals odds

  • Favorite Moneyline: Nationals -118
  • Underdog Moneyline: Reds -102
  • Total: 9
  • Total Over Odds: -118
  • Total Under Odds: -102

Injury reports

Nationals

James Wood: 10 Day IL (Oblique), Drew Millas: 10 Day IL (Finger), Connelly Early: 15 Day IL (Elbow), Josiah Gray: 60 Day IL (Elbow), DJ Herz: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Ken Waldichuk: 60 Day IL (Forearm), Richard Lovelady: 60 Day IL (Tricep), Mitchell Parker: 60 Day IL (Elbow), PJ Poulin: 60 Day IL (Flexor)

Reds

Spencer Steer: 10 Day IL (Wrist), Hunter Greene: 15 Day IL (Elbow), Tony Santillan: 15 Day IL (Oblique), Nick Lodolo: 15 Day IL (Finger), Graham Ashcraft: 60 Day IL (Forearm), Brandon Williamson: 60 Day IL (Shoulder), Blake Dunn: 60 Day IL (Elbow)

Stats to know

  • Washington’s CJ Abrams is slashing .288/.361/.548 this season with 28 home runs (8th in MLB), 89 RBIs (1st in MLB) and an OPS of .909 (7th in MLB). He has a 22.9% strikeout rate and an 8.5% walk rate in 493 plate appearances, and he has scored 73 total runs. Abrams has recorded 21 steals on 26 attempts.
  • In 484 plate appearances, Daylen Lile has hit 15 long balls, tallied 60 RBIs and scored 60 runs. He is batting .244/.295/.419 and has posted a 19% strikeout rate and a 5.8% walk rate. Lile has recorded 11 steals on 16 attempts.
  • Cincinnati’s Sal Stewart is slashing .255/.333/.477 this season with 25 home runs (13th in MLB), 86 RBIs (2nd in MLB) and an OPS of .810. He has a 21.9% strikeout rate and a 10.4% walk rate in 502 plate appearances, and he has scored 64 total runs. Stewart has recorded 12 steals on 16 attempts.
  • In 435 plate appearances, Elly De La Cruz has posted a 26.7% strikeout rate and an 11% walk rate while slashing .274/.356/.504 with 20 home runs, 54 RBIs and 66 runs scored. He has stolen 21 bases on 27 attempts.

This watch guide was created using technology provided by Data Skrive.

Betting/odds, ticketing and streaming links in this article are provided by partners of The Athletic. Restrictions may apply. The Athletic maintains full editorial independence. Partners have no control over or input into the reporting or editing process and do not review stories before publication.

Photo: Jamie Squire, Ishika Samant, Scott Taetsch, Alika Jenner / Getty Images

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San Diego Padres sign OF Austin Hays to a major-league deal

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Austin Hays takes an at-bat during a game against the Padres.

Austin Hays is a nine-year veteran and one-time All-Star. Sean M. Haffey / Getty Images

In need of an offensive spark and veteran outfield experience, the San Diego Padres are signing Austin Hays to a major-league deal, a league source told The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal on Sunday. With Samad Taylor still on the IL, Ramón Laureano likely out for the year, and Jase Bowen struggling against big-league pitching, the Padres found themselves in need of a temporary solution.

After a solid season with the Cincinnati Reds last year, Hays signed a one-year, $6 million deal with the Chicago White Sox this past offseason. But injuries have dogged the 31-year-old veteran all year long, limiting him to just 12 games (44 plate appearances). He was designated for assignment Wednesday and released Friday.

When he has been on the field this summer, Hays has struggled to perform. But when he’s healthy and at his best, Hays is a quality right-handed bat, particularly facing lefties. Last season, Hays had a 155 wRC+ against lefties, and for his career he’s at 123. Hays primarily plays left field now, but can also handle right field if needed.

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