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World Cup 2026: US to ease restrictions on Iran for upcoming match
🇵🇦 Panama /Sports

World Cup 2026: US to ease restrictions on Iran for upcoming match

From TVN Panamá · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • The United States will relax entry restrictions for Iran's national soccer team during the 2026 World Cup.
  • Iran's team will now be allowed to enter the U.S. two days before their match in Seattle, instead of the day before.
  • Despite initial complaints, Iran will not formally protest the U.S. restrictions to FIFA, and the team must still depart the U.S. on the day of the game.

The United States will ease entry restrictions for Iran's national soccer team, allowing them to enter the country two days before their upcoming match in Seattle on June 26. This adjustment comes after the Iranian team, known as Team Melli, had complained about the previous policy of only being permitted entry the day before games.

For the Iranian team's third match in Seattle on June 26, the team has permission to enter the United States two days before the match.

— U.S. Department of Homeland Security spokespersonA spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security confirms the relaxed entry rules for Iran's soccer team.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security confirmed the change, stating that the team has permission to enter two days prior to their third match in Seattle. The Iranian squad is currently based in Tijuana, Mexico, and is scheduled to depart from there on Wednesday, two nights before their Group G match against Egypt.

Iran played its first two World Cup games in Los Angeles, securing draws against New Zealand and Belgium. Following the match against Belgium, coach Amir Ghalenoei praised his players for their undefeated performance despite challenges. However, he also indicated that Iran would not be filing a formal complaint with FIFA regarding the U.S. restrictions, a step they had previously considered.

It is a great achievement and will be written in the history of our football.

— Amir GhalenoeiIran's coach Amir Ghalenoei comments on his team's performance after a match.

Team Melli had also expressed dissatisfaction with the requirement to leave the United States immediately after their matches, believing it impacts their recovery. This aspect of the restriction will remain unchanged, with the team needing to depart on the same day the game concludes. Iranian team representatives have described themselves as the "most mistreated team of the entire World Cup."

The Iranian team will have to leave the day the game concludes.

— U.S. Department of Homeland Security spokespersonA spokesperson clarifies that the departure restriction for the Iranian team remains unchanged.

The Iranian team has found itself in a complex geopolitical situation, particularly following the escalation of conflict between the U.S. and Iran. Their participation in the World Cup was uncertain until the last minute, and they ultimately chose to base themselves in Mexico instead of the United States as initially planned. Issues with visas for some coaching staff members to enter the U.S. have also arisen.

The team has been the 'most mistreated team of the entire World Cup.'

— Iranian team representativesRepresentatives of the Iranian national soccer team describe their experience with tournament regulations.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by TVN Panamá in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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