Department of Homeland Security will allow Iran to travel to US early for World Cup match

The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) says it will grant Iran extra time to prepare for their World Cup match against Egypt on Friday.

The team had planned to lodge an official complaint with Fifa about the “restrictions imposed by the organisers” at the World Cup. Iran have been training in Mexico and were only allowed to enter the United States 24 hours before their first two matches.

On Tuesday, the DHS told NBC the team would be allowed to travel to Seattle for their game against Egypt two days before kick-off.

“Ahead of the match in Seattle on 26 June, the Iranian team will be allowed to come in match day minus two, so two days before the match,” a DHS spokesperson told NBC. “They’ll be asked to leave the day that the match wraps up, so the evening of the match.

“Again, the president wants to make sure that we’re talking about what actually happens on the pitch. A lot of that is making sure that things are safe and secure, not just around the stadiums but around base camps and training sites.”

The team also had leave the US and return to Mexico immediately after their first two fixtures. Iran’s tightened travel schedule means the team are at a disadvantage, particularly when it comes to post-match recovery.

After Iran’s Group G opener with New Zealand, their head coach, Amir Ghalenoei, argued they were the “most oppressed” team at the tournament. Iran’s captain, Mehdi Taremi, said the logistical issues meant recent weeks had been a “disaster”.

Iran have drawn twice and will progress to the knockout stage if they beat Egypt. Another draw could also be enough.

Team Melli’s participation at the World Cup comes as the US and Iran are engaged in talks to end a conflict between the two nations that started in February.