The United States is relaxing travel restrictions on Iran’s World Cup squad allowing the team to arrive two days before their Friday match against Egypt in Seattle. Previously restricted to arriving just 24 hours before games Iran team will travel from their base camp in Tijuana, Mexico on Wednesday.
The US Department of Homeland Security confirmed the policy shift but noted the squad must still depart the US immediately after the match. White House FIFA Task Force official Andrew Giuliani stated the extra day was granted to accommodate the longer 1,200-mile journey as earlier travel logistics proceeded smoothly.
The concession follows mounting frustration from the Iranian camp. Coach Amir Ghalenoei and players argued the tight travel windows severely hindered recovery. Their previous trip from Tijuana to Los Angeles took five hours leaving them less than 24 hours to prepare for a 0-0 draw against Belgium.
"We just ask for the same procedure as for all the other 47 teams," said Iranian winger Alireza Jahanbakhsh.
These logistical challenges are playing out against the backdrop of ongoing US-Iran geopolitical conflict. Tensions surfaced again Sunday when a US official claimed Iran attempted to bring an individual linked to the Revolutionary Guard into the country an allegation the Iranian Football Federation strongly condemned as an "outright lie."
Meanwhile, Iran’s upcoming opponent Egypt faces its own minor logistical hurdles. Based in Spokane, Washington the Egyptian team’s request to fly directly to Seattle from Vancouver was denied by FIFA due to a lack of security resources for last-minute changes.
