Alcohol is banned, British nationals are regularly picked up on spurious charges of spying and only two weeks ago female football fans were pepper-sprayed for having the cheek to attend an international match. And now, Iran says it is ready to host thousands of England supporters a short hop from Qatar for this year’s World Cup.

Officials say they are considering waiving visa requirements for Britons who travel between Doha and the small Iranian island of Kish, a 40-minute flight from Qatar, with the host nation struggling to make room for the hundreds of thousands of tourists expected to travel for the competition, which starts in November.

Iran said the offer could be extended to US fans, whose team have