Tehran, June 19 (EFE).- Iran’s football federation said Friday it had lodged a complaint with FIFA over travel restrictions imposed on the national team in the United States, arguing that the measures undermine equal conditions for participants at the World Cup. The federation said its request to travel to Los Angeles two days before Sunday’s match against Belgium was denied, despite concerns over player recovery and preparation. With the match scheduled for noon local time, Iranian officials argued that the team needed additional time to acclimatize and rest before the game. «The Iranian Football Federation considers these restrictions incompatible with the principle of equal conditions for participating teams and believes they may affect technical preparation,» the federation said in a statement. It added that it had formally protested the decision through FIFA’s official channels. According to the IFF, a similar situation occurred before Iran’s match against New Zealand last week, when US authorities only allowed the team to travel one day before kickoff. Ongoing logistical and visa disputes Iran has repeatedly complained about logistical difficulties linked to playing matches in the United States. As a result, the team has established its operational base in the Mexican border city of Tijuana rather than in the United States, citing what it describes as diplomatic and administrative obstacles. Iranian authorities also say that 15 members of the delegation, along with several technical and administrative staff, have been denied permission to enter the United States. Before the tournament began, the IFF further alleged that US authorities revoked visas that should have been issued under FIFA regulations, limiting the ability of Iranian supporters to attend matches. The dispute adds another layer of tension to Iran’s participation in the tournament, which marks the country’s fourth consecutive World Cup appearance and the seventh in its history. Iran has never progressed beyond the group stage of the competition. jlr-sk