The US Department of Homeland Security has agreed to let Iran’s national football team enter the country two days before their World Cup Group G match against Egypt, a small but meaningful concession that addresses weeks of complaints about competitive fairness at the 2026 tournament.
The decision means Team Melli will cross into the US on June 24, giving them 48 hours before the June 26 match. Previously, the Iranian squad was restricted to arriving just one day before games and departing immediately after, a protocol that turned World Cup preparation into something closer to a diplomatic shuttle run.
From Tijuana to the pitch, with complications
Iran’s national team has been headquartered in Tijuana, Mexico, throughout the tournament. Not by choice, but by necessity. The strict US entry requirements meant the squad couldn’t set up camp on American soil like every other team. Instead, they’ve been making roughly 30-minute flights across the border for matches.
Coach Amir Ghalenoei didn’t mince words about the situation. He described his squad as “the most oppressed team in the whole World Cup,” a characterization that carries obvious political overtones but also reflects a genuine competitive grievance.
