The Iranian Football Federation has announced that it intends to lodge a complaint with FIFA against the travel restrictions imposed on the national team during the World Cup. The team faces difficulties traveling between Mexico, where it is based, and the United States, the country that hosts its three group stage games.
Due to the uncertainties surrounding visas and the diplomatic conflict between the two countries, American authorities determined that Iranians can only enter US territory up to 24 hours before the matches and must leave the country on the same day as the games.
Coach Amir Ghalenoei classified the situation as a disadvantage for his team and stated that Iran is the selection “.
“The Iranian Football Federation believes that these restrictions are not in line with the principles of offering equal conditions to participating teams and may affect the technical preparation of the national team,” the organization said in a statement.
FIFA and the United States Department of Homeland Security have not yet commented on the case.
According to the Iranian federation, the team should arrive in the game cities two days before the matches and return to base the following day, to ensure better physical and technical conditions.
“For the opening game against New Zealand, , informed the entity.
The restriction was also criticized by Ghalenoei, who said the situation hampered Iran’s preparation for the 2-2 draw with New Zealand in the opening of Group G.
The Iranian team returns to the field against Belgium, on Sunday (21), in Los Angeles, and ends the group stage against Egypt, in Seattle, on the 27th.
