Iran’s national football team has been granted additional time in the United States ahead of its final World Cup group-stage match against Egypt, following concerns raised over travel restrictions affecting the squad’s preparations.
Under the revised arrangement, Iran will be allowed to arrive in Seattle two days before the June 26 fixture, providing the team with an extra day to prepare compared to the conditions applied for its previous matches.
Despite the adjustment, the team will still be required to leave the United States immediately after the match and return to its tournament base in Tijuana, Mexico.
Authorities stated that while the travel schedule has been modified for the Seattle encounter, all existing security measures and operational protocols remain unchanged as officials continue efforts to ensure a safe tournament environment.
The decision comes after the Iranian Football Federation voiced concerns over what it described as unequal treatment during the competition. The federation had indicated plans to submit a formal complaint regarding travel restrictions that limited the team’s time in host cities.
Throughout the tournament, Iran’s squad has only been permitted to enter the United States shortly before matches and depart on the same day the games were played. Team officials argued that the arrangement negatively affected preparation, recovery, and training opportunities.
Head coach Amir Ghalenoei previously criticized the restrictions, claiming they placed his side at a disadvantage compared to other participating nations. He maintained that Iran should be allowed to arrive earlier and remain longer after matches to ensure proper technical and physical preparation.
The issue gained further attention after tournament organizers acknowledged discussions about adjusting the travel arrangements for Iran’s final group-stage match, particularly because of the longer journey between Tijuana and Seattle.
Iran’s football authorities have continued to insist that all teams should be provided with equal conditions throughout the tournament, warning that unequal travel policies could impact competitive fairness and performance on the field.
