US Sticks to Strict Travel Rules for Iran's World Cup Team

The United States has confirmed it will not relax travel restrictions for the Iranian national soccer team ahead of their World Cup match against Belgium. Despite Iran's threat to file a complaint with FIFA, the team will still be required to travel to venues within 24 hours of their fixtures and return to their training base in Tijuana, Mexico, immediately after each game. This strict protocol has already been in effect for Iran's first match against New Zealand, where the team was forced to leave the US just hours after the game, sparking criticism over the handling of their visas. Iran's coach, Amir Ghalenoei, has expressed frustration, stating that his team is 'the most oppressed' in the tournament. The US has defended its measures, citing the need to balance security concerns with the goal of hosting a successful tournament. According to Andrew Giuliani, executive director of the White House Task Force for the tournament, the situation is 'dynamic' and subject to change, but for now, the original plan remains in place. The Iranian team is set to arrive in Los Angeles on Saturday evening, just 24 hours before their match against Belgium. While the US has resolved a visa issue for Iranian winger Mehdi Torabi, the team's travel restrictions are likely to remain a point of contention throughout the tournament. Giuliani emphasized that the US aims to protect both American citizens and international visitors while hosting a successful World Cup, and that no credible threats to the tournament have been identified so far.