Iran Files FIFA Complaint Over Travel Restrictions

The Iranian Football Federation announced on Thursday it will lodge a formal complaint with FIFA regarding travel restrictions imposed on its national team during the 2026 World Cup in North America. The federation claims that U.S. authorities have denied requests to arrive in host cities two days prior to matches, forcing the team to adhere to a strict schedule that mandates departure immediately following game completion.

The dispute centers on logistical constraints affecting the team's preparation for their upcoming match against Belgium in Los Angeles. Iranian officials argue that the current policy, which limits their stay to the day before and the day of the match, prevents adequate recovery and final training sessions. The team is currently based in Tijuana, Mexico, and must commute across the border for U.S.-based fixtures.

U.S. government representatives, including the White House FIFA Task Force, maintain that these protocols were communicated well in advance. Officials stated that the team is permitted entry only on the day preceding a match and must exit the country on the evening of the game. This policy remains in effect for the team's final group stage match against Egypt in Seattle on June 26, highlighting ongoing friction between tournament logistics and the diplomatic climate surrounding the Iranian delegation.