The White House is considering easing travel restrictions imposed on Iran’s national football team during the 2026 FIFA World Cup following complaints that the current arrangements could affect the team’s preparation and competitive performance.
Iran has protested the restrictions, arguing that being required to enter the United States shortly before matches and leave immediately afterward has disrupted its training schedule and recovery time during the tournament. The Iranian Football Federation has also indicated it will formally raise the issue with FIFA.
Andrew Giuliani, Executive Director of the White House FIFA World Cup Task Force, said U.S. officials are open to reviewing the travel arrangements if changes can be made without compromising national security or the integrity of the competition.
According to U.S. officials, the existing travel protocols were agreed upon in advance with FIFA and Iranian representatives. However, the White House says it remains committed to ensuring fair competition while maintaining appropriate security measures throughout the tournament.
Iranian officials have maintained that the restrictions place the team at a disadvantage compared to other participating nations, citing limited preparation time and additional travel demands as factors that could affect performance on the pitch.
The issue comes amid broader diplomatic tensions between the United States and Iran, with visa and travel policies continuing to influence the participation of some Iranian officials and delegation members at the World Cup. Despite those challenges, Iran’s players were granted visas to compete in the tournament.
Any decision to relax the restrictions would be expected to balance sporting fairness with U.S. security considerations as the tournament progresses.
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