Iran's football federation has announced plans to file an official complaint with FIFA over travel restrictions imposed on the national team during the ongoing FIFA World Cup hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Under the conditions attached to the team's visas, Iran is only permitted to enter the United States one day before each match and must leave shortly after the game concludes. Iranian officials argue that the arrangement places the team at a competitive disadvantage compared to other participating nations.
The issue drew criticism from head coach Amir Ghalenoei, who described Iran as the "most oppressed" team at the tournament following their 2-2 draw against New Zealand in Los Angeles.
In a statement, the Football Federation of Iran (FFIRI) said the restrictions undermine equal treatment among competing teams and could affect player preparation and performance. The federation indicated that it would formally raise the matter with FIFA, urging football's governing body to uphold fairness and neutrality throughout the tournament.
Iran's World Cup campaign has faced additional challenges amid regional tensions and security concerns linked to the conflict in the Middle East. Several members of the team's support staff were reportedly unable to obtain entry visas to the United States, while the federation also expressed concerns over ticket allocation issues before the tournament began.
U.S. officials maintain that the travel conditions were known and accepted before the competition started. According to representatives of the U.S. administration, Iran's squad is allowed to enter the country on the day before a scheduled match and is expected to depart after the fixture has been completed.
Iran had initially planned to establish its World Cup training base in Arizona but later relocated to Tijuana, Mexico, citing circumstances related to the regional conflict.
The team is set to continue its Group Stage campaign with matches against Belgium in Los Angeles and Egypt in Seattle. Iranian officials say they requested permission to arrive two days before each fixture to allow players additional time for training, recovery, and adaptation to local conditions, but those requests were reportedly declined.
The federation argues that the restrictions have disrupted its preferred preparation schedule and is seeking FIFA's intervention as the tournament progresses.
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