The Iranian National Women’s Futsal Team will not be competing at the 2015 Futsal World Cup in Guatemala.
Iranian women won the Asian Cup this year and were set to go to Guatemala, according to earlier statements by Iran’s Football Federation. Iranian sports media report that Asia’s top team will unfortunately not be competing in the World Cup due to “the lack of adequate and timely administrative coordination”.
The head of the Football Federation says Guatemala does not have a consulate in Iran, and the team would have to get visas to go to Germany, where they could apply for the Guatemalan visas.
Ali Kafashian said their efforts to minimize the process and secure the funds for the trips have unfortunately failed, and the team will not be able to participate in the world tournament.
Analysts have criticized the federation for failing to invest more in female athletes and sports teams.
