The United States has eased travel restrictions on Iran’s World Cup team, allowing the squad to enter the country two days before its next match, the Department of Homeland Security said Tuesday.
Despite the relaxed rules, the team will still be required to depart after Friday’s game in Seattle, a department spokesperson confirmed. A representative for the Iran Football Federation confirmed that the team is scheduled to leave its base camp in Tijuana, Mexico, on Wednesday for Seattle.
Andrew Giuliani, the executive director of the White House FIFA Task Force, said, “This was planned on our end. We were going to look at how the first two movements went, and if they went smoothly, we would extend the extra day in light of the longer travel time.”
The Iranian squad voiced complaints regarding the travel limitations imposed on them and the difficulties faced since the outbreak of war. For their initial two matches in Los Angeles, the team was only permitted to travel the day before.
They relocated their base camp from Tucson, Arizona, to Mexico, and several team officials and support staff were barred from entering the U.S. with the team.
While it is standard practice for teams to travel a day before a match, aligning with FIFA regulations, Iran had specifically requested additional time to acclimate to host cities and recover post-matches.
Following Sunday’s draw against Belgium, national team player Alireza Jahanbakhsh expressed his hope that the team could travel to Seattle as soon as possible to adapt to the location where they will play against Egypt.
“We don’t ask for much. We just ask for the same procedure as for all the other 47 teams,” he said. “Hopefully we can bring everyone who is involved and help us with us.”
Iran players leave note in dressing room after World Cup draw with Belgium
The decision to ease restrictions comes after Iran’s national football team left a message of gratitude in their SoFi Stadium locker room Sunday, thanking Los Angeles for its hospitality during the World Cup.
“From the ancient Persia of thousands of years ago to the civilized Iran of today, the spirit of Iran remains alive and steadfast,” read the handwritten note, which was released by Iran’s football federation.
“Thank you Los Angeles for your hospitality. We came to Los Angeles with pride, competed with honor, and leave with dignity.”
The note also thanked Iranian supporters who gave their “heart, voice and soul” and ended with a call for peace, respect and friendship among all nations.
Los Angeles has served as the host city for both of Iran’s Group G matches so far.