I'm hoping the US isn't lying. I saw the story reported on news agencies in Iran.

bullshit. a football team is not just the players, there's a lot of people that are there to support the team and coordinate. there are various people that have not been granted visa within the iranian caravan, and even then for every game in the US, the team has to fly in and out in the same day. it's gonna be a disaster for iran they are just making them play in insufferable conditions because tough big dick macho stuff or something.