Iran’s football federation has announced plans to lodge a formal complaint with FIFA, alleging that travel restrictions imposed during the 2026 FIFA World Cup have interfered with the national team’s tournament preparations.
According to the federation’s spokesperson, Iran had submitted its logistical and preparation schedule well in advance, but officials claim that tournament organizers rejected a request allowing the team to travel from its base camp in Tijuana, Mexico, to Los Angeles, United States, two days before its upcoming group-stage match against Belgium.
The Iranian federation argues that the decision disrupted the technical staff’s carefully planned schedule, affecting training, recovery, and overall match preparations. The complaint is expected to ask FIFA to review the handling of the travel arrangements and ensure equal treatment for participating teams throughout the tournament.
The issue comes as the 2026 FIFA World Cup—co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico—continues to face logistical challenges due to its multi-country format. Iran’s complaint highlights concerns that administrative or travel-related decisions could impact sporting fairness during one of football’s biggest competitions.
FIFA has not yet publicly responded to Iran’s planned complaint regarding the alleged travel restrictions.
