Iran team says it will complain to FIFA about travel restrictions at the World Cup

Iranian delegation has difficulty leaving the USA after World Cup debut
The Iranian national team will file a complaint with FIFA regarding travel restrictions in the United States during the 2026 World Cup, the Iranian federation's spokesperson said on Thursday (18). The team argues that it informed the organizers of its travel schedule in advance, but that it faces restrictions, affecting the technical committee's plans and preparation for the game against Belgium.
"Despite having sent its preparation schedule for the tournament well in advance, the Iranian national team is once again facing restrictions imposed by the organizers, which is affecting the execution of the technical committee's plans," said the spokesperson.
According to the federation, the restrictions imposed on the team prevented adequate preparation for the match against Belgium, which takes place this Sunday (21), at 4pm (Brasília time). Part of the coaching staff was left without a visa to enter the USA and will only be able to arrive in Los Angeles, the city where the next match will take place, one day before the match, instead of two days before, as is the case with other teams.
These "restrictions are contrary to the principle of equal conditions for all participating teams and run the risk of harming preparation", said the official in a statement.
Iranian team before the match against New Zealand in the first phase of the World Cup.
Daniel Cole / Reuters
After their debut in the World Cup on Monday night (15) with a draw, the Iranian team reported having received an "immediate order" to leave the USA. Afterwards, Iranian news agencies stated that the team's captain, Mehdi Taremi, and a team assistant were detained at Los Angeles airport, where the team played.
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➡ The Iranian team drew 2-2 with New Zealand at the premiere, which took place amid geopolitical tensions due to the war the country is waging with the United States in the Middle East (read more below). As the 2026 World Cup takes place in the USA, Mexico and Canada, there were doubts about the participation of the Iran team, which was qualified for the competition.
To overcome the crisis, FIFA transferred the base of the Iranian team during the World Cup to Mexico, which would initially be in the USA.
After the match, the coach of the Iranian national team, Amir Ghalenoei, stated that the team had received an order to leave immediately from US authorities. North American immigration authorities had not yet commented on the information until the last update of this report.
Iranian state news agencies also stated that center forward Mehdi Taremi, who is a star of the Iranian national team, and member of the coaching staff Saeid Alhouei were detained at Los Angeles airport when the team returned to Tijuana, Mexico, where they are staying.
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Iranian agencies said that the two faced "unjustified delay" in the passport and visa checking procedures at airport immigration. They were released after checks, and the entire team has now returned to Mexico.
Mehdi Torabi (front) during the warm-up of the match against New Zealand.
Gary Vasquez / IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters
In addition to the temporary hold at the airport, the Iranian team also faces another obstacle. Striker Mehdi Torabi received a visa from the US government that allows only one entry into the United States, unlike the rest of the group, who have multiple entry visas.
For the next match, which will also take place in the USA, the Iranian team will have to ask the North American authorities for a new visa for the striker. According to Iranian agencies, the Iranian Football Federation has already started legal procedures to try to issue a new authorization and ensure that the athlete can accompany the team in the next games.
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Iran's next matches will take place in the United States: on Saturday (21), the Iranians will face Belgium, in Los Angeles. They will then play Egypt in Seattle on June 27.
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Geopolitical tensions
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Iran's World Cup debut took place on the same day that the United States and Iran virtually signed an agreement to end the war in the Middle East. The two countries had announced the agreement over the weekend, after more than three months of conflict, which began when the US and Israel carried out joint attacks on Iranian territory on February 28.
Iran responded with a series of attacks on Persian Gulf countries that are allied with the US or that host US military bases. Another front of war was opened in Lebanon, after Hezbollah, a Lebanese terrorist group financed by Iran, launched attacks on neighboring Israel in retaliation.
The Israeli Army has been bombing Lebanese territory since then and sent troops to southern Lebanon.
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The agreement signed between the parties provides for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, the channel controlled by Iran and through which around 20% of all oil and gas consumed in the world passes. The US will also withdraw its Navy ships that form a naval blockade at the entrance to the strait, interpellating ships that trade in local Iranian ports.
The text also stipulates a ceasefire that is expected to last while the two parties discuss the key point of negotiations, which is still open: the future of Iran's nuclear program. The agreement, according to Tehran, foresees that negotiators on both sides will reach a consensus within a period of up to 60 days.
'Most oppressed' World Cup team
Before Iran's debut, Iran's coach, Amir Ghalenoei, had already complained about the logistics of traveling immediately after the match and stated that his team was being "oppressed".
Ghalenoei, 62, said that they went through more setbacks, as the The team expected to spend Monday night in Los Angeles, but ended up being forced to immediately return to Mexico. He did not say who imposed the restriction.
"We were supposed to stay here tonight to recover and come back tomorrow at lunchtime, but they didn't allow us. To be honest, I have no idea why. I think maybe our team is the most oppressed of the entire World Cup," he said.
When contacted by the Reuters news agency for comment on the statements, the US State Department and FIFA did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Still at the stadium, Iranian striker Mehdi Taremi said that the restrictions were preventing the team from giving its best in the tournament:
"It's not good for us. I think it's not good for football. I think FIFA needs to help us more than that. It's very bad and it affects our team, and we just want peace." According to the Iranian ambassador to Mexico, the visa granted to the 26 players only allows temporary entry into the United States for training and matches.
The delegation arrived on June 7 in Tijuana, Mexico, where they will be concentrated during the first phase of the competition.
Initially, the team planned to stay in Tucson, Arizona. However, the war changed the entire logistics of the selection.
On June 9, two days before the start of the World Cup, the Football Federation of Iran (FFIRI) announced that its quota of tickets for the competition had been withdrawn by the United States. The decision left fans who had already made travel plans unable to attend the Iranian national team's matches.
Iranian fans celebrate the draw against New Zealand.
Matthew Childs / Reuters

Source: G1