Iran drew 2-2 with New Zealand in their opening game of the 2026 World Cup
Iran are to lodge an official complaint to Fifa about the travel restrictions they are facing at the 2026 World Cup.
Iran are allowed to fly into the United States, who are co-hosts along with Canada. Mexico, a day before they have a game and have to leave the country on the same day as a match under the conditions of their visas.
This led to head coach Amir Ghalenoeisaying they are the "most oppressed" teamat the tournament following a 2-2 draw with New Zealand in Los Angeles in their opening game.
In a statement, the Football Federation of Iran (FFIRI) said the travel restrictions they face are "inconsistent with the principle of providing equal conditions for all participating teams. may negatively affect teams' preparation processes".
It added: "Consequently, the federation will formally express its dissatisfaction. lodge an official complaint with Fifa through the appropriate channels."
Political tension has undermined World Cup joy, says Iran striker
Iran's involvement in the World Cup has been plagued with uncertainty, linked to the war in the Middle East. related security concerns.
Fifa president Gianni Infantino visited the Iran team in the dressing room following the game against New Zealand as tensions continue.
Multiple "integral" members of their backroom staff weredenied entry visasfor the US while the FFIRI called on Fifa to "uphold the principles of neutrality, fairness,. established regulations" after theirallocation of tickets was revokedon the eve of the tournament.
"The Iranian national football team agreed to these terms," a US Department of Homeland Security spokesperson told the BBC when asked for a response to Ghalenoei's comments.
The BBC has contacted the DHS for a response to Iran's plans to complain.
Iran, who switched their base for the World Cup from Arizona in the US to Tijuana in Mexico amid the conflict in the Middle East, have two group games remaining. both are in the US.
They face Belgium in Los Angeles on 21 June (20:00 BST) and Egypt in Seattle on 27 June (04:00 BST).
Iran said they "needed to arrive in each host city two days before every match. return to its base camp the day after the game in order to achieve optimal technical and physical preparation" but "this request was not approved" for their game against New Zealand.
"The same situation has now been repeated ahead of Iran's second match against Belgium," added the FFIRI.
"Given that the game will be played at 12:00pm local time in Los Angeles. the Football Federation of Iran requested that the team be allowed to travel to Los Angeles two days before the match.
"The aim was to provide sufficient time for players to adapt to the match conditions, complete their final training session,. finalise preparations.
"Despite the technical reasons presented by the federation, the request was once again denied."
The presidents of the US. Iranhave signed an initial peace dealaiming to end the war but Andrew Giuliani, the executive director of the White House Fifa Task Force, said that Iran knew the situation they faced when it came to their matches.
"The team will be allowed to come in. match day minus one, so the day before the match," Giuliani told CBS News.
"They'll be asked to leave the day that the match wraps up, so the evening of the match. And they'll be able to do that again in Los Angeles."
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