TIJUANA, MEXICO – JUNE 19: Iranian players participate in a practice session ahead of Iran’s 2026 FIFA World Cup second match between Belgium and the United States on June 19, 2026 at the Xoloitzcuintl Center in Tijuana, Mexico. (Photo by Francisco Vega/Getty Images)
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Iran plans to lodge a complaint with soccer’s world governing body FIFA over travel restrictions faced by the Iranian team in the United States during the World Cup.
Uncertainty over visas and a dispute with the United States means the Iranian team is commuting from its tournament base in co-host Mexico for the three group matches in the United States.
U.S. authorities require players to enter within 24 hours of a game and leave the same day, and team manager Amir Galenoei said Iran was the “most suppressed” team in the tournament.
“The Iranian Football Federation believes that these restrictions violate the principle of providing equal conditions for participating teams and may affect technical preparations,” the federation said in a statement Friday announcing the protest to FIFA.
FIFA did not respond to Reuters’ request for comment.
Andrew Giuliani, director of the White House World Cup Task Force, told the Telegraph that he is open to renegotiating the terms of Iran’s entry into the United States.
He added that the US government may consider allowing Iran to stay longer during the games.
“Look, everything is dynamic. You can debate this and we certainly want to create competitive fair play on the field. That’s why all the coaches on the team have visas and have the opportunity to come into the country,” he said in Seattle ahead of the U.S.-Australia game.
“The President wants this tournament to be competitively balanced while also keeping malicious actors out of the country. With a month left, we have achieved that.”
Safety and security
Coach Galenoi said the disruption affected his team in the 2-2 draw with New Zealand.
“According to the coaching staff’s plan, the national team had to travel to the host city two days before each match in order to achieve optimal technical and physical condition, and return to its home base the day after the match,” the federation said.
“However, for the opening game against New Zealand, this request was not approved.”
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said the move was a security measure agreed to with Iran, which is scheduled to play Belgium in Los Angeles on June 21 and finish its Group G match against Egypt in Seattle on June 27.
“Teams will be allowed to play on the day before the game, minus one day. They will be asked to leave on the day the game ends, on the night of the game,” a ministry spokesperson said in response to an emailed inquiry from Reuters.
“Again, the president wants to make sure that we are talking about what is actually happening on the pitch, and a lot of that is ensuring safety and security not only around the stadium, but also around the base camp and training sites.”
