Federation Says Preparations Disrupted Ahead of Belgium Clash
TEHRAN: Iran’s Football Federation announced on Thursday that it will submit an official complaint to FIFA, alleging that travel restrictions imposed during the 2026 FIFA World Cup have disrupted the national team’s preparations for upcoming matches in North America.
According to federation officials, Iran requested permission to travel from its training base in Tijuana, Mexico, to Los Angeles two days before its Group-stage match against Belgium on Sunday. However, the request was reportedly denied by tournament authorities.
A federation spokesperson said the team had submitted its preparation schedule well in advance and sought early travel to allow players sufficient time to adapt to local conditions, conduct final training sessions, and complete tactical preparations ahead of the midday kickoff.
The spokesperson argued that the refusal interfered with plans developed by the coaching staff and affected the team’s ability to prepare under optimal conditions.
As a result, the federation said it would formally express its dissatisfaction and pursue the matter through FIFA’s official channels.
US Officials Defend Existing Procedures
Meanwhile, the United States administration rejected the criticism and maintained that Iran had been informed of the travel arrangements before the tournament began.
Andrew Giuliani, Executive Director of the White House FIFA Task Force, said Iranian officials were advised that the team would be permitted to enter the United States only one day before each match and would be required to leave on the evening following the game.
He stated that the same procedure would apply for Iran’s remaining fixtures, including its final group-stage match against Egypt in Seattle.
Furthermore, Iran had already voiced concerns after being required to depart Los Angeles immediately following its opening 2-2 draw against New Zealand.
The team’s preparations for the World Cup have faced additional challenges due to regional instability. Iran relocated its training camp from Tucson, Arizona, to Tijuana shortly before the tournament and has also claimed that up to 15 team officials were denied visas to enter the United States.
The dispute has added another layer of tension to Iran’s World Cup campaign as it prepares for crucial upcoming matches.
