sports
Iran Plans FIFA Complaint Over U.S. Limits on Team Travel for 2026 World Cup Matches
Iran’s national team plans to protest U.S. entry rules that require arrival the day before each match and departure the same evening. The team is based in Mexico and has already faced the restrictions during its opening game.
PO
+4
Al JazeeraAudio version
Tap play to generate a narrated version.
Iran plans to lodge a complaint with FIFA over travel restrictions its national football team faces during the 2026 World Cup. The team is based in Mexico and must commute to its three group-stage matches in the United States. U.S. Authorities require the squad to enter the country within 24 hours of each match and to leave the same day.
The Football Federation of Iran stated on Friday that the restrictions are inconsistent with equal conditions for participating teams and may affect technical preparation. Coach Amir Ghalenoei said the disruption had affected the team in its 2-2 draw with New Zealand.
Under the coaching staff’s plan, the national team needed to travel to the host city two days before each match and return to its base the day after, the federation said. For the opening match against New Zealand, this request was not approved. Iran requested permission to fly from its base camp in Tijuana, Mexico, to Los Angeles two days before its match against Belgium; the request was denied.
The team faces Belgium on June 21 in Los Angeles and concludes its Group G fixtures against Egypt on June 27 in Seattle. U.S. Department of Homeland Security stated the team will be allowed to enter match day minus one and must leave the evening of the match.
Al Jazeera reported that Iran’s team was required to depart the United States within hours after the conclusion of its group-stage matches played in Los Angeles and Seattle. Al Jazeera reported that Iran’s team returned to its base camp in Mexico immediately after its opening match against New Zealand in Los Angeles.
Al Jazeera reported that the same entry-and-departure schedule will apply to Iran’s final group match against Egypt in Seattle on June 26.
Andrew Giuliani stated he would be open to renegotiating the terms of Iran’s entry to the United States. He stated Washington could consider allowing Iran to stay longer around their matches. Andrew Giuliani stated every coach on the team has a visa and the opportunity to come in.
