Iran’s national football team plans to lodge a formal complaint with FIFA, alleging travel restrictions imposed by tournament organizers are hindering their preparations for the 2026 World Cup. The Iranian football federation spokesperson announced the decision on Thursday, stating that the team has encountered "restrictions imposed by the organisers, affecting the implementation of its technical staff’s plans."

The controversy stems from the denial of Iran’s request to travel from their base camp in Tijuana, Mexico, to Los Angeles two days prior to their upcoming group match against Belgium. The team sought to arrive early to allow players sufficient time to adapt to match conditions and complete final training sessions.

"Given that the game will be played at 12pm local time in Los Angeles, the football federation of Iran requested that the team be allowed to travel to Los Angeles two days before the match," the spokesperson explained, according to AFP news agency. "The aim was to provide sufficient time for players to adapt to the match conditions, complete their final training session, and finalise preparations. Despite the technical reasons presented by the federation, the request was once again denied."

This latest issue follows criticism regarding the handling of the Iranian team’s travel and accommodation after their opening World Cup match on Monday. Iran played New Zealand to a 2-2 draw in Los Angeles. US officials had stated that the team would need to depart the United States within hours of the conclusion of their group games held in Los Angeles and Seattle.

Following their match against New Zealand, the Iranian delegation reportedly left the US shortly after 8 p.m. local time, returning to their Mexican base camp. This rapid departure meant the team did not have a full day to recover at their designated hotel, drawing criticism for the logistical arrangements.

The US administration has publicly addressed some of these concerns. Andrew Giuliani, executive director of the White House FIFA Task Force, stated that the US government has worked to ensure the team's travel and entry into the United States has been as smooth as possible. He also indicated that the team would have the opportunity to remain in the US for a period after their matches, contrary to earlier reports.

This situation highlights the complex intersection of sports and politics that has often surrounded Iran's participation in international events. The team's journey to the World Cup has been marked by external pressures and scrutiny, making their on-field performance a focal point amidst broader geopolitical considerations.

The Iranian federation's planned complaint to FIFA underscores their dissatisfaction with the logistical challenges they perceive. The outcome of this complaint and FIFA's subsequent actions will be closely watched, potentially setting precedents for how similar travel and logistical requests are handled for national teams during major international tournaments.