The US will maintain its current travel restrictions on Iran’s World Cup squad for now, despite the team’s plans to lodge a complaint with FIFA over what coach Amir Ghalenoei described as unequal treatment during the tournament.
Reuters reported that Iranian players are currently required to travel to match venues no earlier than 24 hours before kick-off and must return directly to their training base in Tijuana, Mexico, after each game. The team has criticised the measures, with Ghalenoei calling Iran “the most oppressed team in the whole World Cup”.
However, White House World Cup Task Force executive director Andrew Giuliani said the arrangements remain in place ahead of Iran’s clash with Belgium in Los Angeles, though officials will reassess the situation before the team’s third group match against Egypt in Seattle.
“The situation is dynamic,” Giuliani told Reuters, adding that discussions on travel arrangements would continue as the tournament progresses.
Giuliani defended the restrictions, noting that Iran’s training base had already been moved from Tucson to Tijuana to reduce travel times.
He also said all players and coaching staff had received US visas, although some team officials were denied entry due to adverse information uncovered during screening.
The US official stressed that the measures were designed to protect both Americans and international visitors attending the World Cup, while revealing that authorities had identified no credible threats to the tournament so far.
Iran face Belgium on June 21 as they continue their World Cup campaign under the travel regime that has become an unexpected off-field talking point.
