The Football Federation of Iran (FFIRI) has officially decided to lodge a complaint with FIFA over travel restrictions imposed by co-host USA during the FIFA World Cup 2026, calling the conditions inconsistent with the principle of equal treatment for all participating nations. The move comes as Iran prepares for a critical Sunday group-stage clash against Belgium, with the restrictions reportedly hampering the team's preparation.

What the Restrictions Entail

Under the terms of their visas, Iran players are permitted to enter the United States only one day before a scheduled match and must depart on the same day the game is played. The constraints have left the squad with virtually no time for post-match recovery on American soil, forcing them to return immediately to their base camp in Tijuana, Mexico after every fixture.

The federation's statement, released on Friday, said: 'The football federation of Iran believes that such restrictions are inconsistent with the principle of providing equal conditions for all participating teams and may negatively affect teams' preparation processes.' It added that Iran would 'formally express its dissatisfaction and lodge an official complaint with Fifa through the appropriate channels.'

Coach Ghalenoei Calls Iran 'Most Oppressed' Team

Iran head coach Amir Ghalenoei had raised the alarm publicly following his side's 2-2 draw with New Zealand in Los Angeles — their opening game of the tournament. Speaking at the post-match press conference, Ghalenoei said his team had been abruptly informed they had to return to Mexico immediately after the final whistle.

'After the game they said to us, "You have to leave immediately." We've been asked to get on a plane and return to our camp in Tijuana, and we are really troubled by that,' Ghalenoei told reporters. He added: 'They are forcing us to go back early. They are making the situation more and more difficult, more hurdles, but we're not going to let that stop us from doing our best.'

The coach also revealed that the team had originally been scheduled to arrive two nights before their opening match but was denied that window. 'I think our team is the most oppressed one in the whole World Cup. Our federation isn't here, our media isn't here, our management isn't here,' he said.

Broader Context: Geopolitics and the World Cup

Iran's participation in World Cup 2026 has been clouded by geopolitical uncertainty from the outset, with the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and associated security concerns casting a shadow over the team's presence in a co-host nation with which Tehran has no diplomatic relations. This is not the first time sporting events have been entangled in US-Iran tensions — but the scale of the restrictions, applied specifically to one team during a global tournament, has drawn fresh scrutiny.

Notably, Iran are competing in a group that also includes Belgium, making every point and every hour of preparation count. The travel constraints mean the squad arrives jet-lagged and departs without recovery time, a logistical disadvantage that no other team in the tournament reportedly faces.

What Happens Next

The FFIRI has confirmed it will file its complaint through official FIFA channels. FIFA has not yet publicly responded to the federation's announcement. The outcome of the complaint — and whether FIFA has any authority to intervene with US visa policy — remains to be seen. Iran's match against Belgium is scheduled for Sunday, and the team has stated it will remain fully focused on the game despite the ongoing dispute.