Move comes after Iran’s coach Amir Ghalenoei complained that his team were playing under the “worst possible conditions”
Iran will be allowed to enter the US two days before their final Group G match against Egypt after US authorities eased travel restrictions that had drawn criticism from the team during the World Cup.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed on Tuesday that Iran had been granted permission to arrive earlier for Friday’s fixture in Seattle. Previously, the squad had been required to enter the US only a day before matches.
“For the Iranian team’s third match in Seattle on 26 June, the team has been permitted to come into the US two days before the match,” a DHS spokesperson said.
“The Iran team will still be required to leave the day the match ends. The overall security measures and protocol are the same. We remain committed to providing the safest tournament possible for players, staff and fans alike.”
The decision follows complaints from Iran over travel and visa-related difficulties during the tournament. The team relocated their camp from Arizona to Tijuana, Mexico before the competition and have been travelling into the US only a day before matches and leaving immediately afterwards.
Iran’s coach Amir Ghalenoei has raised concerns about his team’s situation after each of their two games played so far. Following Sunday’s goalless draw with Belgium, Ghalenoei said his players had produced a “beautiful game” under the “worst possible conditions”.
For the fixture against Belgium in Los Angeles, Iran flew from Tijuana to Los Angeles on Saturday night, played the following day and then flew back to Mexico on Sunday evening.
The team had previously requested permission to enter the country two days before the match but the request was rejected. They later said they intended to lodge a complaint with Fifa.
Iran opened their campaign with a 2-2 draw against New Zealand before holding Belgium to a stalemate. The results have kept their hopes of reaching the knockout stage alive despite their logistical difficulties.
US officials have rejected suggestions that Iran have been treated unfairly. Speaking to ABC News last week, Andrew Giuliani, executive director of the White House World Cup task force, said: “I think that the United States has been more than fair.
“We’ve gotten visas for all 31 of the players, gotten visas for every coach, so that way there can be competitive balance. So, I would respond by saying that they’re welcome for our hospitality.”
