Team Claims Special Rules Are Affecting Tournament Preparation. Iran’s football federation is preparing to submit an official complaint to FIFA, arguing that travel restrictions imposed on the national team during the 2026 FIFA World Cup have created an unfair competitive disadvantage.
Iranian officials say the team has been forced to follow logistical arrangements not applied to other participating nations, making it more difficult to prepare for matches and recover between games. The issue has become a major source of frustration for players, coaches and federation officials as the tournament enters a crucial stage.
Team Forced to Commute From Mexico
Due to visa and travel restrictions, Iran is based in Tijuana, Mexico, rather than staying in the United States where its group-stage matches are being played.
Under the current arrangements, the team is only permitted to enter the United States shortly before matches and must leave soon after games conclude. Iranian officials argue that the policy disrupts training schedules, recovery plans and overall tournament preparation.
The federation had requested permission for players to arrive in host cities earlier to follow standard preparation routines, but those requests were reportedly denied.
Coach Describes Situation as Unfair
Iran head coach Amir Ghalenoei has openly criticized the restrictions, describing his team as the “most disadvantaged” side at the tournament.
Following Iran’s opening 2-2 draw against New Zealand, the coach suggested that travel disruptions had negatively affected the team’s performance. Players have also expressed concerns about the impact of repeated border crossings and limited preparation time before important matches.
Team captain Mehdi Taremi reportedly described the travel situation as a significant challenge for the squad as they attempt to compete against some of the world’s strongest teams.
Visa Issues Add to Frustration
The travel controversy follows earlier disputes involving visas for Iranian officials and support staff.
Several members of Iran’s football federation were unable to obtain visas to attend matches in the United States, leading federation officials to accuse FIFA of failing to coordinate effectively with host-country authorities.
Iran has also faced other logistical challenges during the tournament, including concerns over ticket allocations and travel permissions for team personnel.
FIFA Yet to Respond
The Iranian federation plans to formally present its concerns to FIFA, arguing that all participating teams should receive equal treatment and similar preparation opportunities.
As of now, FIFA has not publicly responded to the planned complaint. Tournament organizers and US authorities have also not issued detailed comments regarding Iran’s latest concerns.
Crucial Matches Ahead
The dispute comes at a critical moment for Iran, which still faces important Group G matches against Belgium and Egypt.
Despite the controversy, Iranian officials insist the team remains focused on its World Cup campaign. However, they argue that resolving the travel issue is essential to ensuring fair competition for the remainder of the tournament.
For now, Iran hopes FIFA will review the restrictions and provide greater flexibility as the team continues its quest to advance to the knockout stages of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
