Iran’s national football team is preparing to lodge a formal complaint with FIFA, claiming it has faced travel restrictions during the ongoing World Cup in North America. The complaint comes after Iranian football officials said tournament organizers rejected a request that they believe was essential for the team’s preparations ahead of a crucial match.
According to a spokesperson for the Football Federation of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the federation had submitted its tournament preparation schedule well in advance. However, officials say the team has repeatedly encountered restrictions that have disrupted the plans of the coaching and technical staff during the competition.
Iran is currently based in Tijuana and wanted to travel to Los Angeles two days before its upcoming World Cup match against Belgium on Sunday. The federation argued that arriving earlier would allow players sufficient time to adjust to local conditions and complete final preparations.
The Iranian spokesperson explained that the match is scheduled to kick off at 12:00 pm local time in Los Angeles. For that reason, the federation requested permission for the squad to travel earlier than planned so players could acclimatize, conduct their final training session, and make tactical adjustments before the game.
Despite presenting what it described as valid technical and sporting reasons, the federation said the request was denied by tournament organizers. Iranian officials have expressed frustration over the decision, claiming it places the team at a disadvantage compared to other participating nations.
The dispute adds another layer of controversy to Iran’s World Cup campaign. The federation now intends to raise the matter with FIFA, arguing that the restrictions interfere with the team’s ability to prepare fairly for its matches. FIFA has not yet publicly responded to the allegations, while organizers have also remained silent on the claims. The outcome of any complaint could become a significant talking point as the tournament progresses.
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