Iran’s World Cup squad is preparing to file a formal complaint with FIFA, alleging it has faced severe travel restrictions during the tournament in North America. The team had asked to fly from its base in Tijuana, Mexico, to Los Angeles two days before Sunday’s match against Belgium, but the request was rejected, according to a spokesman for the Iranian federation. He said Iran had submitted its tournament plans well in advance, yet the team was again encountering limitations that disrupted the coaching staff’s preparations.
Iran players protest post-match treatment
The federation said the earlier arrival in Los Angeles was requested because the match is scheduled for 12:00pm local time, and the team wanted additional time to adjust. Officials argued the extra day would help players acclimatize to conditions, complete their final training session, and finish preparations properly. Despite those sporting and logistical reasons, the request was denied, the spokesman said, adding that Iran now intends to register its dissatisfaction through official FIFA channels.
Iran team faces travel turmoil
Iran had already condemned what it called “oppressive” and “disastrous” treatment earlier in the week, claiming the squad was forced to leave the United States immediately after its opening match. Following the 2-2 draw with New Zealand in Los Angeles on Monday, striker Mehdi Taremi publicly appealed to FIFA for help, describing the situation as unfair. Before the competition began, an arrangement had reportedly been made for Iran to enter and leave the US only on the days of its group-stage matches. Since the outbreak of war in February, uncertainty had also hung over the team’s participation in the tournament.
Iran players seek FIFA support
‘But we have to leave Los Angeles right now, and it’s not good for us. It’s not good for the football, because in a World Cup, you have to prepare good for the next game, because it is a lot of stress for the players and the staff and everyone. But we don’t have that support and I think FIFA have to help us more than this.’ Taremi claimed Iran’s players asked Infantino why they were being kicked out. When asked what the FIFA president told them in the dressing room, Taremi added: ‘He just wants to help us. ‘It’s the beginning of the World Cup now, and he will help us… We believe everything he says.’
Coach questions sudden travel orders
Teammate Mohammad Mohebi said their treatment was not ‘fair’ and Ghalenoei echoed his players’ feelings, claiming: ‘They said we had to leave immediately. ‘It’s very important for us to have time for recovery and yet we were asked to return to Tijuana and we are really troubled by that… we do not know why they are returning us. I think it’s very strange.’ The head coach continued: ‘It seems like others are doing the planning for us, decisions made elsewhere, we were supposed [to arrive] two nights before the game and we were not permitted.
Iran team questions strict entry rules
‘We were supposed to stay tonight and return tomorrow lunchtime but I have no idea why and they haven’t told [us]… our team is the most oppressed one in the whole World Cup.’ The US administration has pushed back against the Iranian claims. Andrew Giuliani, the executive director of the White House FIFA Task Force, said on Monday that Iran had been informed in advance that they would only be allowed to enter the United States on the day before the game. ‘The team will be allowed to come in, match day minus one, so the day before the match,’ Giuliani told CBS News. ‘They’ll be asked to leave the day that the match wraps up, so the evening of the match.
Doubts linger over Iran peace deal
And they’ll be able to do that again in Los Angeles.’ He added that the procedure would be the same for Iran’s final group game against Egypt in Seattle on June 26. The tension comes as Trump announced last weekend that a deal to end the war with Iran is ‘all signed’. The official signing ceremony is set to be held in Switzerland on Friday. But there are doubts over whether his memorandum of understanding with Iran can lead to the end of the three and a half month long war. The timing is fluid and there’s been scant confirmation about the details of the signing ceremony.
