The Football Federation of the Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI) is preparing to file a formal complaint with FIFA, saying travel restrictions imposed during the 2026 FIFA World Cup have put the national team at a significant disadvantage compared to other participating nations. Iranian officials believe the measures disrupted the team’s preparations and recovery plans during the tournament, raising concerns about the fairness of the competition.In a statement released on Friday, the federation said: “The Iran Football Federation believes that such restrictions are inconsistent with the principle of providing equal conditions for all participating teams and may negatively affect the teams’ preparation processes.“Consequently, the federation will formally express its dissatisfaction and file an official complaint with FIFA through the appropriate channels. Despite these restrictions, the Iranian national team will continue its preparation program and remain fully focused on the upcoming match against Belgium,” the statement added.The question follows a similar situation surrounding Iran’s first World Cup match against New Zealand, after which the national team had to leave the United States shortly after the final whistle to return to their training base in Mexico.Iran operated out of Tijuana throughout the tournament after being unable to establish its original base camp in Arizona. The federation also claims that several support staff members have been denied visas, creating additional logistical challenges behind the scenes.
coach of Iran Amir Ghalenoei at the postgame conference
Iran head coach Amir Ghalenoei expressed his frustration with the situation following his team’s 2-2 draw with New Zealand. The veteran manager said the team was informed immediately after the game that they would have to leave the United States and return to Mexico without delay.Speaking at the post-match press conference, Ghalenoei said his team was suddenly informed they had to return to Mexico immediately after the game in Los Angeles.“After the game, they told us, ‘You have to leave right now. We’ve been asked to get on a plane and go back to our camp in Tijuana, and it’s really bothering us,'” Ghalenoei told reporters at a postgame press conference.“They are forcing us to come back earlier. They are making the situation more and more difficult, creating more obstacles, but we will not let that stop us from doing our best,” he added.The question comes ahead of a crucial clash against Belgium, in which Iran are looking to strengthen their chances of progressing to the knockout stages. The players continue training in Mexico as they prepare for one of their biggest games of the tournament.
