SEATTLE — The United States has eased travel restrictions on Iran’s World Cup team, allowing the squad to arrive in Seattle two days before its decisive group-stage match against Egypt, U.S. officials said on Tuesday.
The move marks a relaxation of restrictions that had forced Iran to travel to its first two matches only a day before kickoff and leave immediately afterward.
A spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security confirmed that Iran’s delegation will be permitted to enter the United States on Wednesday ahead of Friday’s Group G clash against Egypt in Seattle. The team will still be required to leave after the match.
Iran had previously based its World Cup operations in Tijuana, Mexico, after security restrictions prevented the team from using its original base camp in Arizona.
Andrew Giuliani, executive director of the White House FIFA Task Force, said the adjustment had been anticipated after the team’s initial movements proceeded without incident.
“We were going to look at how the first two movements went, and if they went smoothly, we would extend the extra day in light of the longer travel time,” Giuliani told The Associated Press.
Iranian officials and players had repeatedly criticized the travel restrictions, arguing that they placed the team at a competitive disadvantage compared with other nations at the tournament.
For the opening matches against New Zealand and Belgium in the Los Angeles area, Iran was only permitted to travel one day before kickoff and had to return to Mexico immediately after each match.
Several Iranian officials and support staff members were also unable to obtain permission to enter the United States.
After Sunday’s goalless draw against Belgium, Iran winger Alireza Jahanbakhsh said the squad simply wanted to receive the same treatment as the rest of the tournament participants.
“We don’t ask for much. We just ask for the same procedure as for all the other 47 teams,” he said.
FIFA regulations generally require teams to travel to host cities one day before matches, although exceptions allowing earlier arrivals can be granted.
Iran enters Friday’s match against Egypt with two points following consecutive draws against New Zealand and Belgium. Egypt tops Group G with four points after defeating New Zealand 3-1.
The winner of Friday’s match could secure a place in the World Cup knockout stage.
Source: Saudi Gazette