US eases travel restrictions for Iran soccer team before World Cup match

The United States Department of Homeland Security announced that Iran’s national soccer team may enter the United States one day earlier than previously permitted for its group‑stage match in Seattle, scheduled for Friday. The team will still be required to leave the country on the same day after the game. The policy change follows complaints from the Iranian delegation that earlier restrictions limited preparation time, as the team had been allowed to travel only the day before previous matches in Los Angeles.

The decision allows the squad to travel from its base in Tijuana, Mexico to Seattle two days before the match, easing the logistical strain of a 1,900‑km journey. Iranian officials, including captain Alireza Jahanbakhsh, stressed that they seek the same treatment as the other 47 teams. The US spokesperson emphasized a continued commitment to a safe tournament. Iran’s football federation said it will lodge an official complaint with FIFA over the travel conditions, amid broader US‑Iran tensions related to the ongoing conflict in the region.