Iran to file complaint against US World Cup travel restrictions

Iran football team (Image: X) The Football Federation of the Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI) is set to lodge a formal complaint with FIFA, claiming travel restrictions imposed during the 2026 FIFA World Cup put the national team at a significant disadvantage compared to other participating countries. Iranian officials believe the measures disrupted the team’s preparations and recovery plans throughout the tournament, raising concerns about competitive fairness.In a statement released on Friday, the federation said: “The Iran Football Federation believes that such restrictions are against the principle of providing equal conditions for all participating teams and may negatively affect the teams’ preparation processes.“As a result, the federation will formally express its displeasure and file an official complaint with FIFA through the appropriate channels. Despite these restrictions, the Iranian national team will continue with its preparation program and fully concentrate on its upcoming match against Belgium,” the statement added.The release follows a similar situation surrounding Iran’s World Cup opener against New Zealand, after which the team had to leave the United States and return to their training base in Mexico shortly after the final whistle.Iran operated out of Tijuana throughout the tournament after being unable to set up its original base camp in Arizona. The federation also claims that several members of the support staff were denied visas, creating further logistical problems behind the scenes.

Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei at the post-match conference

Iran head coach Amir Ghalenoei expressed his frustration with the situation following his team’s 2-2 draw with New Zealand. The veteran manager said the team was informed immediately after the game that they would have to leave the United States and return to Mexico without delay.In the post-match press conference, Ghalenoei said that his team was suddenly informed that they had to return to Mexico immediately after the game in Los Angeles.“After the game, they told us, ‘You have to leave immediately. We’ve been asked to get on a plane and go back to our camp in Tijuana, and that’s really bothering us,'” Ghalenoei told reporters at a post-match news conference.“They force us to come back early. They make the situation more and more difficult for us, they bring more obstacles, but we don’t let that stop us from giving our best,” he added.The issue comes ahead of a crucial clash with Belgium, with Iran looking to boost their chances of reaching the knockout stages. The players continue to train in Mexico and prepare for one of their biggest matches of the tournament.