The USA have made a special dispensation to allow the Iranian national side into the country two days ahead of their vital 2026 World Cup group-stage duel with Egypt in Seattle.
Previously, the travelling party had been restricted to the country 24 hours ahead of their opening two clashes in Los Angeles, but a US official said a ‘special allowance’ had been made. They added that Iran will be allowed to arrive in the US city on Wednesday before Friday’s Group G fixture against Egypt and will have to depart immediately afterwards.
Iran was based in Arizona throughout the tournament before moving to Tijuana, Mexico, for their final match, as their 19 remaining officials could only obtain a maximum of one travel document in the past for all their trips in and out of the country for this tournament.
There are believed to have been no direct flights from Tijuana to Seattle, which prompted Washington to relax the regulations to prevent the team from travelling the length and breadth of Mexico and travelling to their stadium 2,300km away for the match on Friday.
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