US allows Iran football team early arrival for World Cup
The US Department of Homeland Security has expanded travel permissions for Iran's national football team ahead of their Friday World Cup fixture, allowing a two-day window in Seattle rather than the previous 24-hour limit, though the squad must still return to its Mexican base immediately after the match.
The US Department of Homeland Security has revised travel protocols for Iran's national football team ahead of their World Cup fixture in Seattle, extending the permitted arrival window from 24 hours to two full days while maintaining strict departure requirements, NBC News reported Tuesday.
Expanded arrival window
The Iranian squad — known as Team Melli — will now be permitted to enter the United States on June 24, two days before their June 26 match, rather than the single-day allowance granted for their opening two games. "Ahead of the match in Seattle on June 26, the Iranian team will be allowed to come in match day minus two, so two days before the match. They'll be asked to leave the day that the match wraps up, so the evening of the match," a DHS spokesperson said. The team must return immediately to its current base in Tijuana, Mexico, following the final whistle.
FIFA complaint
The accommodation follows the Iranian Football Federation's announcement that it intends to file a formal complaint with FIFA regarding the treatment of the delegation during their American tour. Federation officials cited visa complications that forced the team to relocate its operational headquarters from Arizona to Tijuana, affecting several officials and support staff who faced entry restrictions. Iranian authorities have additionally raised concerns regarding limitations placed on media access and the ability of fans to attend matches.
Security measures
The DHS emphasized that the revised schedule balances competitive fairness with security imperatives surrounding the tournament. "Again, the President wants to make sure that we're talking about what actually happens on the pitch," the spokesperson said. "A lot of that is making sure that things are safe and secure, not just around the stadiums, but around base camps and training sites." The measures reflect ongoing tensions between Washington and Tehran amid broader diplomatic disputes.
Iran's third group stage fixture kicks off on June 26 at Lumen Field. The squad has been based in Tijuana since visa complications forced the abandonment of planned Arizona preparations earlier this month.
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