Iran World Cup travel restrictions to be eased, says coach

Published June 21, 2026 Updated June 21, 2026 08:52am

Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei has said he has been told US travel restrictions on his World Cup team will finally be eased for their third group game, but blasted the treatment they have received so far for damaging their on-field performance, AFP reports.

The Iranian squad arrived at the World Cup with their country still at war with co-hosts the United States, and have been based in Mexico while playing all their games in the US.

That has required frequent cross-border travel, and US authorities have only permitted the team to remain in the country for a few hours after each game, with restrictions frequently shifting last-minute.

Ghalenoei said he had been told his team will have more flexibility for their final match, before quickly adding that it would have been “justice” for his team to have the same treatment for its first two games.

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