Iran's football federation announced it will file a formal complaint with FIFA after U.S. authorities denied a request to travel directly to Los Angeles for the Sunday group match against Belgium. The team had been forced to shift its base camp from Arizona to Tijuana, Mexico, and now faces a 24‑hour turnaround for each game, a schedule the federation says breaches equal‑treatment rules.

Coach Amir Ghalenoei called his squad “the most oppressed team in the whole World Cup” after a five‑hour charter from Tijuana to Los Angeles International Airport turned a normally short hop into a logistical headache. Captain Mehdi Taremi noted the extended security and immigration process drained players’ stamina ahead of a 2‑2 draw with New Zealand, while visa woes left several staff unable to enter the United States.

The federation argues the travel rule—requiring teams to arrive MD‑1 and return MD+1—should apply uniformly, yet Iran remains the only side confined to a 24‑hour window. Secretary‑general Hedayat Mombeini warned the constraints harm players’ physical and mental preparation ahead of their final group game against Egypt in Seattle on June 26. The complaint will be lodged Friday.