The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has confirmed that Iran’s national soccer team will be permitted to arrive in Seattle two days before their final World Cup group stage match against Egypt. The move marks a slight relaxation of strict travel restrictions that have plagued “Team Melli” throughout the tournament.
Iran will depart from its base camp in Tijuana, Mexico, on Wednesday, June 24, according to Politico. A DHS spokesperson stated, “The overall security measures and protocol are the same. We remain committed to providing the safest tournament possible for players, staff, and fans alike.”
Iranian coach Amir Ghalenoei and his players have been vocal about the hardships caused by the restrictions, which they say have hampered their performance. The team arrived in Los Angeles just 24 hours before their first game and only 16 hours ahead of their second, forcing them to leave the U.S. immediately after each match.
“It appears they’re allowing us to go to Seattle earlier. I only wish they’d allowed us to come earlier for the first two games,” Ghalenoei said through a translator. “They robbed us of all these opportunities. Yet we are very hopeful because we heard we can go to Seattle two days earlier.”
He added, “I think the travel restrictions are injustice. We hope that such behavior is not repeated in the future.”
While other teams have also arrived about 24 hours before games and left shortly after, those decisions were voluntary. Iran’s restrictions stem from political tensions between the Iranian regime and the U.S. government. The team was forced to relocate its base camp from Tucson, Arizona, to Tijuana at the last minute. Several delegation members, including the federation president, were denied visas. The team’s block of tickets for supporters was canceled, and players’ families are not present.
“You cannot deny that our situation has not been the same as all the other teams,” midfielder Saeid Ezatolahi said before Iran’s second game against Belgium.
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