Iran to reach US a day before opening World Cup match, federation says

TEHRAN: Iran's football federation on Tuesday set out the national team's group-stage travel plans for the 2026 Fifa World Cup, with the squad due to enter the United States only one day before its opening match despite being based in Mexico during the tournament.

The tournament begins on Thursday and is being co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada. Iran's preparations have unfolded amid difficult circumstances for the Islamic republic, including visa complications and open military conflict between Tehran and Washington.

According to the federation, the team will stay in Tijuana throughout the competition even though all three of its group-stage fixtures are scheduled in the United States. Iranian players have obtained the visas needed to enter the US and take part in those matches, but not every member of the travelling delegation has received clearance.

Iran says visa problems have stopped around 15 administrative and management staff members from entering the United States. The issue surfaced just days before the start of the World Cup.

Federation spokesperson Amir Mehdi Alavi said the squad's travel arrangements were in line with Fifa planning.

""In accordance with Fifa's programme, the team delegation will travel to the United States on a charter flight,""

In further remarks carried by Iran's Isna news agency, Alavi added:

""The team will travel to the host city one day before the match against New Zealand, and for the following two matches, we will be at the host venue two days before the game,""

Iran will begin its campaign against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15. It will then play Belgium in Los Angeles on June 21 before facing Egypt in Seattle on June 26.

Minister warns over flags and slogans

Separately, Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali warned against the display of symbols other than those of the Islamic Republic during matches. Remarks attributed to him by the official Irna news agency said team officials would intervene if such displays or prohibited chants appeared inside stadiums.

""If, in the stadiums where we play, we see any flag or symbol other than that of the Islamic Republic of Iran, or if norm-breaking slogans are chanted, the team official will certainly have a duty to stop the match,""

Donyamali also said responsibility lay with event organisers to address such situations.

""It is the responsibility of the organisers to rectify the situation,""

Iran's participation in the World Cup has been overshadowed by the unresolved visa issue affecting part of its delegation, even as the players themselves have secured entry documents for the United States and the federation has finalised its schedule for the opening phase of the tournament.