U.S. loosens Iran's travel restrictions for next World Cup match

The U.S. has eased travel restrictions for Iran’s national team ahead of its next World Cup match, allowing players to enter the country two days before the June 26 game in Seattle.

The Department of Homeland Security confirmed the change, according to reporting by Axios and the Associated Press. The team still must leave the United States the same day the match ends.

Earlier reporting said Iran had been limited to arriving only one day before its U.S. matches. The new allowance gives the team more time in Seattle before facing Egypt.

Why the rule changed

The decision follows complaints from Iran about the travel burden created by cross-border logistics during the tournament. Iran has been based in Tijuana, Mexico, while playing matches in Los Angeles and traveling into the U.S. for games.

AP reported that the team’s first two matches in Los Angeles went smoothly, but the earlier restrictions still created a tight window for preparation and recovery. The eased timing is meant to give the squad more flexibility before a decisive group-stage game.

Security concerns remain

The travel dispute has also been shaped by U.S. security concerns. AP reported that DHS raised allegations about ties between a team affiliate and Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, an accusation Iran’s federation denied.

Support staff still face travel bans, according to AP, even as the players themselves were granted the two-day entry window.

What to watch next

It is not yet clear whether the same entry allowance will apply to any later U.S. matches or whether Egypt will receive similar flexibility for Seattle.

FIFA rules generally allow teams to arrive the day before a match, with earlier arrival granted in exceptional cases. The Iran decision shows how those rules can be overridden by host-country security policy during the 2026 World Cup, which the U.S. is co-hosting with Mexico and Canada.