The Iranian football federation, known as FFIRI, announced that it will file an official complaint with FIFA regarding the travel conditions imposed on its national team during the World Cup. Officials say the grievance stems from a series of logistical missteps that have pitted the squad against an inconsistent scheduling policy applied by the sport’s governing body.
According to the federation, the team is required to arrive in each host city at least two days before its match and to return to its base camp the day after the game. That protocol was not honored ahead of the opening match against New Zealand, forcing the players to adjust their preparations on short notice. The match ended in a 2‑2 draw, but the early setback set the tone for a series of travel frustrations.
A disputed travel schedule
The same irregularities resurfaced ahead of the second group game against Belgium. Iran was only granted permission to travel to Los Angeles a single day before the fixture, despite the team’s base being located in Tijuana, Mexico. The relocation to Tijuana was itself a consequence of the broader military tensions between the United States and Iran, which prompted the squad to abandon a planned base in Arizona.
Coach Amir Ghalenoei has been vocal in his criticism, describing the team as "the most oppressed in the World Cup" and stating that the travel disruptions have severely hampered preparation. He revealed that eleven staff members were denied entry to the United States ahead of the New Zealand match, and that striker Mehdi Taremi called the overall situation a "disaster."
FIFA president Gianni Infantino responded to the growing controversy by visiting the Iranian dressing room after the New Zealand game. While he stopped short of condemning the travel policy, Infantino expressed solidarity with the players and acknowledged the challenges they have faced, signaling a willingness to address the concerns raised by the federation.