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Jun 24, 2026

Iran to lodge complaint over United States travel restrictions at World Cup

Story byThe IndependentThe IndependentAndy HampsonFri, June 19, 2026 at 10:23 AM UTC·2 min read

Iran's national football team is preparing to lodge an official complaint with Fifa, the World Cup organiser, over what their coach has branded "oppressive" travel restrictions in the United States.

Coach Amir Ghalenoei said this week that his side were the "most oppressed" at the tournament.

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Though all three of Iran’s group games are being played in the United States, the team is only allowed into the country the day before each fixture and must leave immediately afterwards.

These limitations, imposed amid conflict between the two nations, forced Iran to establish their training camp in Tijuana, Mexico, rather than their intended US base.

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