Iran to lodge FIFA complaint over US travel curbs at World Cup after camp move and visa refusals
The Iranian football federation says it will file a formal protest with FIFA, accusing the United States of imposing travel restrictions that violate equal-treatment rules and harm its team's preparation for a Group C match against Belgium.
A camp relocated under geopolitical strain
Amid the war in the Middle East, Iran was forced to abandon its original World Cup base in Tucson, Arizona, and set up camp in Tijuana, Mexico. The US also denied visas to about 15 members of the Iranian delegation, including staff described as integral. The team must cross into the United States solely for match days.
We are the most mistreated team in the entire World Cup.
One-day windows and short recoveries
For the opening game against New Zealand in Los Angeles, Iran was allowed to enter the US only on the eve of the match and was required to leave immediately after the final whistle. The federation says the same restriction has been reapplied to the Belgium fixture, blocking a request to arrive two days early for acclimatisation and a final training session. The kick-off is set for 12:00 local time on Sunday, which the coaches argue makes early arrival even more critical.
Formal protest to FIFA
On Thursday, the Football Federation of the Islamic Republic of Iran announced it would formally express its dissatisfaction and lodge an official complaint with FIFA. The federation stated that the restrictions are incompatible with the principle of equal conditions for all participating teams and risk harming preparation. Head coach Amir Ghalenoei had already voiced his frustration after the 2-2 draw with New Zealand.
Such restrictions are not compatible with the principle of providing equal conditions to all participating teams and could negatively affect the teams' preparation processes.
Washington's position
Andrew Giuliani, executive director of the White House FIFA Task Force, told CBS News that Iran was informed in advance it could enter the US only on match day minus one and must leave the evening of the game. He said the same rule would apply for the final group match against Egypt in Seattle on 26 June.
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.
What comes next
Iran's remaining group games are both on US soil. The clash with Belgium in Los Angeles is set for 21 June, followed by the meeting with Egypt on 26 June. FIFA president Gianni Infantino visited the Iranian dressing room after the New Zealand game, but the governing body has not yet commented on the impending complaint.
- Iran's football federation announces it will formally complain to FIFA over US travel curbs.
- Iran vs. Belgium in Los Angeles; team enters US only one day before, as per imposed window.
- Iran vs. Egypt in Seattle; the same day-before entry and same-day exit rule will apply.
