U.S. eases travel restrictions for Iran soccer team ahead of World Cup match

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has eased travel restrictions for Iran’s national soccer team, allowing the squad to enter the United States from Mexico earlier than previously permitted before its final World Cup group-stage match.

The decision allows Iran’s team to cross from its base camp in Tijuana, Mexico, into the U.S. two days before its match against Egypt in Seattle on Friday, June 26, according to NBC News.

Iran had previously been required to arrive in the U.S. only one day before its World Cup matches and leave immediately afterward. The team will still be required to leave the country immediately after the Egypt match.

The earlier travel limits came amid a broader dispute over Iran’s World Cup delegation, including visa denials for some team officials and staff.

DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin said Sunday that Iran had tried to include people with direct ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, or IRGC, to its delegation.

“We accepted 53 individuals coming in,” Mullin said. “The rest of the individuals that Iran tried to bring in also have direct ties with the IRGC and aren’t their normal traveling group.”

The Associated Press previously reported that 11 Iranian team officials and staff members did not receive U.S. visas ahead of the tournament. Iran later moved its base camp from Tucson, Arizona, to Tijuana.

Iran’s final group-stage match against Egypt is scheduled to be played Friday in Seattle.