Iran striker Mehdi Taremi detained at Seattle airport before World Cup match

Iran’s national‑team forward Mehdi Taremi and assistant coach Said Alhoei were stopped at Seattle‑Tacoma International Airport as the squad arrived in the United States for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. U.S. officials questioned the pair for about 25‑40 minutes because their boarding passes had not been issued, delaying the team’s travel to Seattle where they were due to face Egypt in the group stage on 27 June.

The Iranian Football Federation complained that the American authorities created unnecessary disruption to the team’s preparation, while the squad, which had been training in Tijuana, Mexico, was forced to adjust its schedule. After the brief detention the officials were eventually allowed to enter the United States, but the incident highlighted the logistical challenges faced by the Iranian delegation ahead of the tournament.