Iran’s mounting World Cup travel troubles go beyond simple logistics. From changing training bases at the last minute to flying in and out of the host country just for matchdays, and missing part of the support staff, Iran feels these could reshape their Group G chances. Ahead of their second game at the World Cup, Iran is set to launch an official complaint to FIFA about the travel restrictions.

The Football Federation of Iran (FFIRI) released a statement that was highly critical of the unjust travel restrictions that were imposed on them. They also revealed they are taking necessary legal action.

“The Football Federation of Iran believes that such [travel] restrictions are inconsistent with the principle of providing equal conditions for all participating teams and may negatively affect teams’ preparation processes.

“Consequently, the federation will formally express its dissatisfaction and lodge an official complaint with FIFA through the appropriate channels,” a statement from the FFIRI read.

Iran played their first game at the World Cup against New Zealand on Monday, 15 June. They shared points with the White Caps after a thrilling 2-2 draw at the Los Angeles Stadium. FIFA President Gianni Infantino even visited Iran’s locker room post-game to have a word with the players.

Ever since the war broke out in the Middle East in March, relations between the USA and Iran have completely broken down. Iran’s participation in the World Cup was in jeopardy as all three of its group stage matches were scheduled in the USA. However, after multiple changes and continuous tensions, the Iranian team were taking part in the showpiece event.

It was not without several changes, though. Their training base, which was initially supposed to be in Arizona in the USA, was shifted to Tijuana in Mexico. They were only allowed to enter the host city a day before the match and leave as soon as the match ended.

The FFIRI emphasized how crucial it was to arrive in each host city two days before the game. They wanted the team to be in optimal technical and physical condition before the games and also requested to leave a day after the game ended. But those pleas were rejected.

The restrictions were dubbed unfair by the Iranian coach Amir Ghalenoei. “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,” the coach revealed in a statement after the first match against New Zealand.

“After the game they said to us ‘you have to leave immediately’,” Ghalenoei said. “We’ve been asked to get on a plane and return to our camp in Tijuana, and we are really troubled by that,” he continued.

But the complaints by the Iranian team come as a surprise to the Department of Homeland Security spokesperson. “The Iranian National Football Team agreed to these terms,” the spokesperson replied to the BBC on Ghalenoei’s complaints.

In the latest development, the presidents of the US and Iran have decided to end the war after signing an initial peace deal. But it might not provide immediate relief to the Iranian National Team, as the players are feeling the friction from the fallout as well.

Iran’s Mehdi Taremi slams the “disaster” situation

The FIFA World Cup co-hosted by the USA has been marred by travel restrictions. Iran accused the US of denying a visa to an integral member of their support staff. But the US officials have immediately hit back and revealed that all the crucial members secured entry to the country.

The situation was not new, as FFIRI’s president Mehdi Taj was denied entry to the World Cup draw in December 2025. After boycott threats, a small delegation from Iran finally attended the event.

During the World Cup, a statement from the FFIRI revealed that their mandatory 8% share of tickets for each match was revoked at the eleventh hour. They wrote to FIFA to uphold the principles of neutrality and fairness in the ticket allocations.

Iran’s captain Mehdi Taremi was far from impressed with these changes and called for greater intervention from FIFA.

“It’s been a disaster. It’s not good for us. It’s not good for the football, because in a World Cup, you have to prepare well for the next game, because it is a lot of stress for the players and staff and everyone. But we don’t have that support, and I think FIFA has to help us more than this,” he revealed.

Iran will face Belgium at the Los Angeles Stadium on Sunday, June 21, and they will be expected to follow a similar schedule. Their final group-stage encounter will see them take on Egypt at the Seattle Stadium on June 28, and they will be desperate for the situation to turn around by then.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup has been marred by multiple travel-related scandals. Canada, another co-host, denied entry to Thomas Partey of Ghana and Elye Wahi of Ivory Coast due to their involvement in various scandals that went against their immigration policies.

Just before the tournament, multiple fans from Haiti, Senegal, and Morocco were denied visas due to travel bans. Somali referee Omar Artan was denied entry due to an ongoing travel ban as well.

Although Russia continues to be banned from the World Cup, Iran’s situation is an unprecedented one. They will be battling fatigue, match pressure, and even travel as they struggle to make it out of Group G and qualify for the knockouts for the first time in their history.