Overview
- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security confirmed Wednesday that Iran may enter the United States two days before its Group G match in Seattle, up from an earlier one-day window.
- DHS kept a firm rule that the Iranian delegation must leave U.S. territory immediately after the Seattle game rather than remain in the country for an extended stay.
- Iran has based its World Cup camp in Tijuana, Mexico, because of U.S. visa and entry limits, and several federation officials and support staff were denied permission to travel with the main squad.
- The team’s travel to Seattle was briefly delayed when captain Mehdi Taremi and assistant coach Saeed Alhoei were reportedly held for processing at an airport before rejoining the group.
- Iran says the restricted arrival windows and missing staff harm its preparation and will file a formal complaint with FIFA, a step that could press FIFA to review security arrangements and affect how other teams are handled.