Iran to file complaint with FIFA over World Cup travel restrictions
Iran’s football federation is set to file an official complaint with FIFA after it says the national team faced unfair travel restrictions during the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States. Iranian officials say repeated requests to adjust the team’s travel schedule have been rejected, disrupting preparations for key group stage matches.
The dispute centers on restrictions on Iran’s entry and stay in the United States, where two Group G matches are being played after the team’s base moved to Tijuana, Mexico for the tournament.
According to Iran’s association, the latest problem arose ahead of Sunday’s June 21 clash with Belgium in Los Angeles. The team requested permission to travel to California two days before the game to give the players extra time to adapt to local conditions and complete their preparations.
“Despite the fact that Iran’s national football team has submitted a plan to prepare for the tournament well in advance, it has once again encountered restrictions from the organizers that affect the implementation of the plans of its technical staff,” a spokesman for the Iranian federation said, according to AFP.
“Since the match will be played at 12:00 local time in Los Angeles, the Iran Football Federation requested permission for the team to travel to Los Angeles two days before the match. The aim was to give the players enough time to adapt to the match conditions, complete the final training and complete the preparations. Despite the technical reasons presented by the federation, the request was again denied.”
Iran’s World Cup manager Amir Ghalenoei slammed FIFA and the Trump-Rubio State Department and forced them out tonight:
“They didn’t even give us time to recover today. They told us we had to leave immediately.”
@TWDTV1 pic.twitter.com/9C6D9FboPh— Andrew Jerell Jones, Luke 1:37 (now also BlueSky) (@sluggahjells) June 16, 2026
The the release follows Iran’s World Cup opener against New Zealand in Los Angelesafter which the delegation was asked to leave the United States and return to their base in Mexico within hours of the final whistle. The arrangement has drawn criticism from Iranian officials who say it puts the team at a competitive disadvantage compared to other nations participating in the tournament.
Iran head coach Amir Ghalenoei expressed his frustration with the situation the team expected to stay overnight after games to focus on recovery before the trip.
“After today’s game they told us: You have to leave immediately. Whereas it is very important for us to recover,” Ghalenoei said after the match.
“We’ve been asked to get on a plane and go back to our camp in Tijuana, and that’s really bothering us. They’re forcing us to go back early. They’re making things difficult, they’re bringing more obstacles, but we’re not going to let that stop us from doing what we can. We don’t know why they’re sending us back. It’s very strange.”
The coach also claimed that requests to arrive in Los Angeles two nights before the game and stay overnight after the game were denied.
WHY IS IRAN FACING TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS?
Iran in action against New Zealand at the Los Angeles Stadium (Photo Reuters)
Iran entered the World Cup amid months of uncertainty over its participation due to ongoing geopolitical tensions involving the United States, Israel and Iran. Despite these concerns, the team secured a spot in the tournament and opened their campaign with a 2–2 draw against New Zealand. But now the focus has shifted from on-pitch to off-pitch controversies, with Iran’s FA preparing to take their grievances to FIFA.
The controversy stems from the visa and entry conditions applicable to the Iranian delegation during the World Cup.
Following criticism over the handling of Iran’s participation, White House FIFA Task Force Executive Director Andrew Giuliani said that Iran had been informed in advance that its players and staff would only be allowed into the United States one day before the games and would have to depart the same day after the games.
Under these arrangements, the same procedure is expected to apply to Iran’s final group stage match against Egypt in Seattle on June 26. Iranian officials say the restrictions are hindering recovery, disrupting training schedules and complicating logistical planning throughout the tournament.
Football World Cup | FIFA World Cup Schedule | FIFA World Cup Points Table | football news
– The end
Published on:
19 Jun 2026 15:11 IST