Iran to file complaint with FIFA over US visa policy for World Cup games
The Football Federation of Iran has announced that it will lodge a protest with FIFA over US-imposed travel restrictions on its team, which it says have affected preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Football Federation of Iran will file an official complaint with FIFA over the travel restrictions imposed by the United States authorities while playing in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
According to the federation's statement, due to uncertainty over visas and the existing tension between Iran and the US, their team had to commute from their designated base to co-host Mexico for their three games on US soil.
The federation said US authorities required players and staff to enter the country 24 hours before a match and leave the same day, a condition they highlighted as unfair to the team's preparation. "The Football Federation of Iran believes that these limitations are inconsistent with the principles of providing equal conditions for participating teams and may affect their technical preparation," the statement said.
<figure style="margin:2rem 0;overflow:hidden;border:1px solid #e2e2e2;background:#f9f9f9"><img src="https://images.jpost.com/image/upload/f_auto,fl_lossy/q_auto/c_fill,g_faces:center,h_720,w_1280/709389" alt="Image" style="width:100%;height:auto;object-fit:contain" loading="lazy" /></figure>Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei identified their team as the "most struggling" in the entire tournament. According to Ghalenoei, the busyness and schedule change affected their game on Monday which ended in a 2-2 draw against New Zealand. "According to the coaching staff's plan, the national team needs to travel to the host city two days before each match to reach optimal technical and physical conditions, and return to base the day after the match," the federation added. "However, for the opening match against New Zealand, this request was not approved."
There was no immediate statement from FIFA or from the US Department of Homeland Security when they were asked for comment, according to a Reuters report.
Iran will play against Belgium in Los Angeles on June 21 and they will conclude their Group G fixtures against Egypt in Seattle on June 27.
