Iran to lodge complaint with Fifa over ‘restrictions imposed’ on team at World Cup

<ul><li><p>Iran permitted to arrive in LA just 24 hours before Belgium game</p></li><li><p>Federation will express its ‘dissatisfaction’ over logistical issues</p></li></ul><p>Iran plan to lodge a formal complaint with Fifa regarding the “restrictions imposed by the organisers” on the team at the World Cup, after being told they will only be permitted to arrive in Los Angeles 24 hours before Sunday’s crucial game against Belgium.</p><p>After <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/16/iran-new-zealand-world-cup-2026-group-g-match-report">Iran’s Group G opener with New Zealand</a>, their head coach, Amir Ghalenoei, argued they are the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/16/amir-ghalenoei-iran-coach-mehdi-taremi-fifa-us-world-cup">“most oppressed” team at the tournament</a>. Iran’s captain, Mehdi Taremi, said the logistical issues meant recent weeks had been a “disaster”.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/19/iran-lodge-complaint-fifa-restrictions-world-cup">Continue reading...</a>