The Iranian soccer team will be permitted to travel to the United States two days prior to its next World Cup match in Seattle. This decision comes amid existing travel restrictions on the Iranian delegation during the tournament, which is co-hosted by the U.S.
For Iran's initial matches in Los Angeles, players were allowed to enter the U.S. the day before each match, according to Andrew Giuliani, executive director of the White House FIFA Task Force. This represented a change from earlier policy, which required the team to arrive on the same day as their games.
There are no direct flights from Iran's World Cup base in Tijuana, Mexico, to Seattle. A spokesperson from the Department of Homeland Security confirmed that for the Iranian team's third match on June 26, they will be allowed to enter the U.S. two days before the game but must leave the country the day of the match.
The spokesperson also stated that overall security measures and protocols will remain unchanged, emphasizing a commitment to ensuring a safe tournament for players, staff, and fans. Iran's next match is scheduled for June 26 against Egypt. If Iran finishes second in its group, they will play their subsequent match in Dallas.
Iran had moved its base camp to Tijuana from Arizona shortly before the tournament began to address travel logistics. Iranian players received their visas from the U.S. Embassy in Ankara, Turkey, although some staff members were denied visas. Earlier, Iran had requested that all of its matches be relocated to Mexico, but FIFA did not alter the schedule.