Iran to file official complaint with FIFA over World Cup travel

The Football Federation of Iran (FFIRI) has announced it will file an official complaint with FIFA over the travel restrictions its national team is facing at the 2026 World Cup. Under the terms of their visas, Iranian players and staff are permitted to enter the United States only one day before a match and must leave the country on the same day as the game. The restrictions have led head coach Amir Ghalenoei to describe his team as the "most oppressed" at the tournament.

Background of the restrictions

The United States is co-hosting the 2026 World Cup alongside Canada and Mexico. Iran's visa conditions require the team to fly into the US on the day before a match and depart immediately after the game. This arrangement has severely limited their ability to train and prepare, according to the FFIRI. In a statement, the federation said the restrictions are "inconsistent with the principle of providing equal conditions for all participating teams and may negatively affect teams' preparation processes." It added: "Consequently, the federation will formally express its dissatisfaction and lodge an official complaint with Fifa through the appropriate channels."

Impact on preparation

Iran's opening match was a 2-2 draw against New Zealand in Los Angeles. The federation had requested permission to arrive two days before the game to allow players to adapt and complete final training, but the request was denied. The same situation has now been repeated ahead of Iran's second group match against Belgium, scheduled for June 21 at 12:00 p.m. local time in Los Angeles. The FFIRI stated: "Given that the game will be played at 12:00pm local time in Los Angeles, the Football Federation of Iran requested that the team be allowed to travel to Los Angeles two days before the match. The aim was to provide sufficient time for players to adapt to the match conditions, complete their final training session, and finalise preparations. Despite the technical reasons presented by the federation, the request was once again denied."

Political tensions and security concerns

Iran's participation in the World Cup has been overshadowed by political tensions linked to the war in the Middle East and related security concerns. The team originally planned to base themselves in Arizona, but switched to Tijuana, Mexico, amid the conflict. Multiple "integral" members of their backroom staff were denied entry visas for the US, and the FFIRI said their allocation of tickets was revoked on the eve of the tournament. FIFA President Gianni Infantino visited the Iran team in the dressing room after the New Zealand match as tensions continued.

Official responses

A US Department of Homeland Security spokesperson told the BBC: "The Iranian national football team agreed to these terms." The BBC has contacted the DHS for a response to Iran's plans to complain. Andrew Giuliani, executive director of the White House FIFA Task Force, told CBS News: "The team will be allowed to come in, match day minus one, so the day before the match. They'll be asked to leave the day that the match wraps up, so the evening of the match. And they'll be able to do that again in Los Angeles." Iran has two remaining group games, both in the US: against Belgium on June 21 in Los Angeles and against Egypt on June 27 in Seattle.