U.S. Eases Restrictions for Iran’s World Cup Team
The United States is adjusting its travel restrictions for Iran’s World Cup soccer team. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced that the team could enter the country two days prior to their next match. However, they must depart after their match on Friday in Seattle.
A representative from the Iran Football Federation confirmed the team’s planned travel from Tijuana, Mexico, to Seattle starting Wednesday. Andrew Giuliani, the executive director of the White House FIFA Task Force, mentioned that the decision was based on initial travel assessments. The smooth execution of previous travel arrangements led to this extension.
The change was first reported by NBC News, happening amid diplomatic talks between the U.S. and Iran aiming to resolve the ongoing conflict in Iran. The Iranian squad has expressed concerns over the travel limits impacting their performance under war-induced challenges. In a previous move, the team successfully relocated its base from Tucson, Arizona, to Tijuana, with some support personnel barred from U.S. entry.
For earlier matches near Los Angeles, Iran’s team couldn’t arrive earlier than one day before the game. This restriction, described by Iran’s coach Amir Ghalenoei as a disadvantage, left minimal preparation time before a noon match against Belgium, which ended in a 0-0 draw. “Recovery is our priority right now,” Ghalenoei emphasized, pointing to the hardships faced by the team.
FIFA rules allow teams to travel the day before a match, with exceptions for travel two days in advance. Iran requested additional time to adjust to locales and recover, especially for the 1,200-mile journey to Seattle, where they will train at the University of Washington.
Iran’s captain, Alireza Jahanbakhsh, underlined a plea for equitable treatment comparable to other participating teams. The squad has faced delays during short trips between Tijuana and Los Angeles, with one journey taking five hours, recounted by captain Mehdi Taremi.
On match days, U.S. officials highlighted security considerations, citing an instance of a person affiliated with Iran’s Revolutionary Guard attempting U.S. entry. The Iranian soccer federation refuted these claims, labeling them false.
Although Iranian players and staff generally avoid political discourse, they opposed a missile attack on a Middle Eastern school by wearing pins with “168,” commemorating lives lost. The team also left messages advocating global peace at their locker room in California.
Before leaving Tijuana for Seattle, the Iranian team marked their training field with flags bearing the number 168. Meanwhile, it’s uncertain if Egypt, Iran’s next opponent, will receive similar travel accommodations. After Egypt’s win against New Zealand, their request for an early arrival in Seattle was denied by FIFA due to security constraints, required to return to Spokane afterward.