The United States will temporarily ease travel restrictions imposed on Iran’s World Cup squad, allowing the team to arrive in Seattle two days before their final Group F match against Egypt, the Department of Homeland Security said Wednesday.
The adjustment marks a partial concession after Iran’s players and staff raised concerns over recovery time during the tournament, citing tight travel windows that previously required them to arrive in Los Angeles only a day before matches and depart almost immediately afterward.
“For Iran’s third group match in Seattle on June 26, the team will be permitted to enter the United States two days prior to the match,” a Homeland Security Department spokesperson said, according to AFP. The official added that while the entry window has been adjusted, the team must still depart on the day of match completion and that broader security protocols remain unchanged.
“We remain committed to ensuring as safe a tournament as possible for players, staff and fans,” the spokesperson said.
U.S. officials said the restrictions are tied to security considerations but did not provide specific details on what risks, if any, visiting international athletes may pose. The decision comes amid broader diplomatic tensions that have complicated Iran’s participation in the tournament hosted jointly by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei had previously described his team as “the most oppressed” at the World Cup due to logistical constraints, including disrupted training schedules and limited recovery time between matches. Players have at times been forced to travel the day before games, with immediate departures after final whistles further limiting preparation and rest.
A team spokesperson confirmed Iran will leave Tijuana, Mexico, ahead of its match against Egypt on Friday. Iran opened its group campaign with a 2-2 draw against New Zealand on June 15 and followed it with a 0-0 draw against 10-man Belgium on Sunday, leaving its qualification hopes finely balanced.
Ghalenoei praised his squad for earning points under what he described as difficult conditions. The final group match against Egypt will determine Iran’s progression, with Iran requiring a win to advance to the Round of 32, while Egypt needs only a draw to secure qualification.
Several teams in the tournament have followed standard FIFA procedures of arriving just one day before matches, although Iran’s case has drawn attention due to additional logistical and diplomatic complications.
Preparations for the 2026 tournament, co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, have been marked by off-field challenges for Iran’s national team, including visa delays for support staff and last-minute changes to training base locations. The team initially planned to establish a base in Arizona but shifted to Tijuana shortly before the tournament began, after U.S. authorities denied visas to several members of its support staff.
Iran’s participation in the tournament was itself uncertain until the final stages of qualification amid heightened regional tensions earlier in the year, adding further complexity to its World Cup preparations.
