TEHRAN: Iran’s national football team has reportedly been denied permission to enter the United States two days before its upcoming FIFA World Cup match, prompting criticism from the Iranian Football Federation, which says the restrictions are affecting the team’s preparations.

According to the federation, the Iranian squad is facing travel limitations during the tournament, and officials are considering filing a formal complaint with FIFA over the matter. The federation argues that the restrictions are disrupting training schedules and creating unnecessary challenges for the team ahead of crucial matches.

A spokesperson for the Iran Football Federation said that officials had requested permission for the team to travel to Los Angeles two days before its second World Cup fixture, which is scheduled against Belgium on Sunday. However, the request was rejected by tournament organizers.

The spokesperson stated that the federation had submitted its preparation and travel plans well in advance and had also presented technical and logistical reasons for the early arrival request. Despite this, the team was informed that it would not be allowed to enter the United States before the approved timeframe.

“We had provided our schedule long ago and explained the technical reasons behind the request, but once again we are facing restrictions that are affecting the team’s preparations,” the spokesperson said.

Iranian football authorities believe that arriving earlier would have allowed players more time to adjust, train, and prepare adequately for the important group-stage encounter. Federation officials argue that equal preparation opportunities should be available to all participating teams.

Meanwhile, Andrew Giuliani, Executive Director of the White House FIFA Task Force, said Iran had already been informed of the travel arrangements. According to him, the team would only be permitted to enter the United States one day before the match and would be required to leave on the same evening following the conclusion of the game.

The issue has sparked discussion among football observers, particularly because Iran’s next two World Cup fixtures—against Belgium and Egypt—are both scheduled to take place in the United States.

Sports analysts note that travel schedules can play a significant role in tournament performance, especially when teams are required to move frequently between host venues. Limited preparation time, travel fatigue, and logistical constraints can potentially affect player readiness and overall team performance.

The Iranian Football Federation has indicated that it may seek clarification from FIFA regarding the travel restrictions and whether they comply with tournament regulations and principles of equal treatment for all participating nations.

FIFA has not yet publicly commented on the dispute. Tournament organizers are also expected to provide further details regarding the policies governing team travel and entry arrangements for matches hosted in the United States.

As Iran prepares for its upcoming clash with Belgium, attention is likely to remain focused not only on the team’s performance on the field but also on the ongoing controversy surrounding its travel arrangements.

With two important matches still to be played in the United States, the outcome of discussions between Iranian football officials, FIFA, and tournament organizers could have implications for the team’s preparations for the remainder of its World Cup campaign.