SEATTLE, USA – The United States has eased travel restrictions on Iran’s national football team during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, allowing the squad to arrive in Seattle two days before its upcoming match against Egypt.
The decision was confirmed on Tuesday by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, marking a slight relaxation of measures that had previously limited the team’s movement within the United States.
Under the revised arrangement, Iran’s squad will travel from its base camp in Tijuana, Mexico, to Seattle on Wednesday, giving players additional time to prepare and acclimatize before Friday’s crucial World Cup fixture. However, the team will still be required to leave the United States immediately after the match.
Andrew Giuliani, Executive Director of the White House FIFA Task Force, said the adjustment was made after authorities reviewed Iran’s previous travel arrangements.
“We were going to look at how the first two movements went, and if they went smoothly, we would extend the extra day in light of the longer travel time,” Giuliani told The Associated Press.
Iran’s team has faced a series of travel challenges since the start of the tournament. Due to restrictions imposed by U.S. authorities, the squad was forced to relocate its base camp from Tucson, Arizona, to Tijuana, Mexico. Several team officials and support staff members were also reportedly denied entry into the United States.
For Iran’s first two World Cup matches in Los Angeles, the team was only permitted to travel to the host city one day before kickoff, in line with FIFA regulations but unlike many other participating nations that have enjoyed greater flexibility.
Iranian players and officials have publicly expressed concerns about the restrictions, arguing that they have affected the team’s preparation and recovery process.
Following Iran’s draw against Belgium on Sunday, winger Alireza Jahanbakhsh called for equal treatment for all teams participating in the tournament.
“We don’t ask for much. We just ask for the same procedure as for all the other 47 teams,” Jahanbakhsh said. “Hopefully we can bring everyone who is involved and help us with us.”
The easing of restrictions comes as Iran prepares for a decisive Group Stage encounter against Egypt, with hopes of advancing to the knockout rounds still alive.
While the latest move provides some relief for the Iranian squad, travel limitations remain in place, meaning the team will continue to operate under tighter conditions than most other nations competing at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
