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Iranian Soccer Team Allowed Early Entry to U.S. for World Cup Match
Developing
In Short: The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has granted the Iranian soccer team permission to travel to the U.S. a day earlier for their final World Cup group game in Seattle.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has eased travel restrictions for the Iranian soccer team, allowing them to arrive in Seattle, Washington a day earlier for their final World Cup group game on Friday. The team will still be required to leave immediately after the match, which kicks off at 8pm local time.
A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson stated, 'For the Iranian team’s third match in Seattle on June 26, the team has been permitted to come into the U.S. two days before the match. The overall security measures and protocol are the same. We remain committed to providing the safest tournament possible for players, staff, and fans alike.
The Iran soccer federation (FFIRI) is second in Group G on two points after two games and is bidding to reach the knock-out phase of the World Cup for the first time. Prior to the team leaving their pre-World Cup base in Turkey, 13 members of support staff were not granted permission to enter the U.S. and have remained in Mexico when matches have taken place.
When the squad flew from Turkey to Mexico, they wore #168 pin badges on their lapels to honour the number of children killed at an elementary school on the first day of the U.S.-Iran conflict — February 28, 2026, according to the Iranian foreign ministry.
What's confirmed
What's still developing
- Iran have been granted permission by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to travel to the United States a day earlier for their final World Cup group game on Friday.
- “For the Iranian team’s third match in Seattle on June 26, the team has been permitted to come into the U.S. two days before the match. The Iran team will still be required to leave the day the match ends. The…
- Although Iran have been given extra time before the game, they have been told that they will still have to fly back from Seattle — which is 1,000 miles and a two to three hour flight away from their training base in…
- The Iran soccer federation (FFIRI) said last week it intended to lodge an official complaint with FIFA regarding its World Cup travel arrangements Iran are second in Group G on two points after two games and are…
- Prior to the team leaving their pre-World Cup base in Turkey, 13 members of support staff were not granted permission to enter the U.S. and have remained in Mexico when matches have taken place.
- When the squad flew from Turkey to Mexico they wore #168 pin badges on their lapels to honour the number of children killed at an elementary school on the first day of the U.S.-Iran conflict — February 28, 2026 —…
Sources
- The New York Timeslink