Iran football body blames US officials for player travel delays

Iran's national football team faces travel disruptions en route to a crucial World Cup qualifier against Egypt in Seattle. The Iranian Football Federation (FFIRI) alleges that US officials caused delays for star striker Mehdi Taremi and assistant coach Saeed Alhoei, preventing them from joining the squad in time for the match.

According to Iran's ISNA news agency, both Taremi and Alhoei had not rejoined the national team, which is preparing for the important game in Seattle. This incident follows recent concessions from US authorities, who had previously eased travel restrictions for the Iranian delegation after Tehran and the team protested strict entry procedures that hindered their tournament preparations.

The exact cause of the latest delay remains unconfirmed, and US authorities have not issued any official statements regarding the FFIRI's claims. Previously, Iran, using Tijuana, Mexico, as its base during the tournament, was only permitted to enter the US shortly before matches and had to depart quickly afterward. Iranian coach Amir Ghalenoei had criticized these travel conditions as unfair, citing player fatigue from repeated border crossings.

This situation is further complicated by the strained diplomatic relations between Washington and Tehran, which have led to heightened security and stricter travel controls for the Iranian team throughout the World Cup campaign.

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The Iranian Football Federation (FFIRI) claims that US officials have caused problems for the country's main striker, Mehdi Taremi, and assistant coach, Saeed Alhoei, causing delays in their travel to Seattle to face Egypt in the 2026 World Cup match today.