Iran Football Federation to File Complaint with FIFA Over Travel Restrictions
Iran's Official Complaint to FIFA
The Iranian football federation is set to submit a formal complaint to FIFA regarding the travel limitations imposed on their team during the ongoing 2026 World Cup. The Iranian squad is permitted to enter the United States only one day prior to their matches and must depart immediately after each game. All of Iran's matches are scheduled to take place in the US, while they are currently training in Mexico.
The federation argues that these travel restrictions contradict the principle of ensuring equal conditions for all teams involved and could adversely impact their preparation. As a result, they will officially communicate their grievances to FIFA through the appropriate channels. Despite these challenges, the Iranian national team remains committed to their training regimen and is focused on their upcoming match against Belgium.
Iran is set to compete against Belgium on Monday (June 22) in Los Angeles, with the team only allowed to arrive in the US a day before the match. Following the game, they will have to leave the country immediately. They are also scheduled to return for their third match against Egypt on Saturday (June 27) in Seattle, spending just over 24 hours in the US unless FIFA intervenes to alter the arrangements.
Coach's Concerns Over Travel Restrictions
Iran Coach Expresses Frustration
Amir Ghalenoei, the head coach of Iran, voiced his frustration regarding the team's requirement to leave the US immediately after their match against New Zealand. He emphasized that the players should have been allowed time for recovery instead of being forced to travel back to Mexico right after the game.
“They didn’t even give us time to recover. After the game today, they said to us, ‘You have to leave immediately.’ It’s very important for us to have time for recovery, but we are asked to get on a plane and return to our camp in Tijuana, and we are really troubled by that,” he stated.
Ghalenoei also mentioned that the travel disruptions have hindered the team's ability to adjust, leading to player cramps during the match. He noted that substitutions were made not for tactical reasons but due to injuries and fatigue. The players will undergo evaluations by the technical staff on Tuesday, but the early departures and lack of recovery time are complicating their situation further.
Currently, Iran holds the second position in Group G, which is led by New Zealand, with no team in the group having secured a win yet. Historically, Iran has never advanced to the second round of the FIFA World Cup.