World Cup 2026: White House ‘in talks’ over Iran travel ban

The White House is considering changing the tough travel ban Iran faces at the 2026 World Cup.

Iran is allowed to fly to the United States, which are co-hosts along with Canada and Mexico, a day before a game and their visas require them to leave the country on match day.

That led to head coach Amir Ghalanei saying they were the “most underdog” team in the tournament after a 2-2 draw with New Zealand in their opening game in Los Angeles.

However, Andrew Giuliani, executive director of the White House’s World Cup task force, said “discussions are ongoing” about their travel time from their third group match against Egypt in Seattle on June 27.

The Iranian team is based in Mexico for the tournament and Giuliani said the squad operated under travel restrictions for their first two matches in Los Angeles – a 30-minute flight away. However, since the flight to Seattle will be up to three hours they are “discussing” making the change.

“I know the president wants to maintain a competitive balance on the field and make sure we’re not compromising our national security,” he told KOMO TV News, a local news station in Seattle.

“We want to make sure that the Iranian team has an opportunity to come in and compete. What we’ve done for the Iranian team is spectacular and credit to President Trump for that.

“He signed an executive order to allow the team to play the World Cup. They’re already in LA to play and they’ll play again on the 21st.”

Giuliani did not say whether Iran was included in the talks, and he did not respond to the BBC’s request for comment.

Iran said its national team should be allowed to arrive in each host city two days before each match and return to its base camp the day after the game “to achieve optimal technical and physical preparation”.

“Iran’s football federation believes that such restrictions are inconsistent with the principle of providing equal conditions for all participating teams and could negatively affect the teams’ preparation process,” the Iranian team told the BBC.

“Consequently, the federation will formally express its dissatisfaction and lodge an official complaint with FIFA through the appropriate channels.”

Iran’s next match is against Belgium in Inglewood, Los Angeles on Sunday at 20:00 BST.