Before they have even kicked a ball at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Iran's national team is facing an unusual challenge: entering the United States, playing a match, and leaving the country again all on the same day.
The requirement, imposed as part of the team's visa conditions by the US State Department, has raised questions about whether Team Melli can realistically prepare, compete and recover under such restrictions during the tournament. "The precedent set just days before the tournament began is not reassuring," sports content creator Salma Mashhour told The New Arab. "Iraq's star striker Aymen Hussein was detained and questioned for nearly seven hours at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport after arriving with his squad. This is despite the fact that Hussein plays for a nation that has no active military conflict with the United States," she said.
"Iran's players will be crossing into a country that launched airstrikes on their homeland a mere four months ago. There are, therefore, no guarantees that the process will be any smoother," she added.
The latest restrictions are the culmination of months of tensions surrounding Iran's participation in the World Cup.
After a weeks-long saga, the Iranian squad received their US visas late on Friday, though 15 staff members were denied visas. Tehran's embassy in Turkey described the move as "deliberate and discriminatory behaviour escalated to the highest level".
Iran's preparations have also been disrupted by a change of training base. The squad landed in Tijuana, Mexico, early on Sunday after abandoning plans to train in Tucson, Arizona.
Late last month, Mexico agreed to host Team Melli after the US reportedly made it clear to FIFA that it did not want to host the squad.
The decision followed months of tensions during which Washington gave contradictory statements on whether Iran was welcome to participate in the World Cup, while Tehran threatened a boycott in response to visa issues, travel bans and the US-Israeli war on the country. As of Monday, Iran remain scheduled to play all three Group G matches in the United States. Team Melli will face New Zealand and Belgium in Inglewood, California, on 15 and 21 June respectively, before taking on Egypt in Seattle on 26 June.
Ranked 20th in the world, Iran are considered strong contenders to finish second in the group and progress to the knockout stage alongside Belgium.
All three matches will be played within a 12-day period. A race against the clock Iran's opening match against New Zealand kicks off at 6pm local time on 15 June. The distance between Tijuana and SoFi Stadium in Inglewood is 236 kilometres, roughly a two-hour and 40-minute drive under ideal conditions.
However, the squad will first need to cross the US-Mexico border through the San Ysidro Port of Entry, where waiting times can range from minutes to several hours depending on traffic and immigration procedures.
As a result, players could spend up to four or five hours travelling before reaching the stadium, leaving limited time for tactical preparation and warm-ups.
The challenge is even greater against Belgium six days later, with kick-off scheduled for midday local time.
The Belgian side is ranked 11 places above Iran and boasts stars including Kevin De Bruyne, Youri Tielemans, Jeremy Doku and Romelu Lukaku. The match will also be played in the blazing afternoon sun.
Iran's final group game against Egypt takes place in Seattle at 8pm local time on 26 June. The squad is expected to fly privately from Tijuana, a journey that takes between two and a half and three hours each way, as no direct commercial flights exist.
The requirement to return to Mexico after the match, despite the late kick-off, leaves little room for recovery before a potential knockout-stage campaign. Physical and competitive costs Travel between Mexico and the United States could have major implications for player performance and physical health, Mashhour said.
"Each crossing reduces the preparation and recovery time that professional athletes depend on to perform at the highest levels," she said.
For the New Zealand match, Iran's strong midfield should, in theory, outclass the Kiwis, who play "direct, physical football without focusing too much on possession", according to Mashhour.
"But controlling tempo requires energy, and energy will be in short supply after a morning that begins at a busy border crossing," she said.
"A slow start against a physical, better-rested side that relies on set-pieces and long balls could cost Iran crucial points they cannot afford to lose."
With Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush leading Egypt's attack, Iran face another difficult challenge.
"Salah and Marmoush's pace can punish tired legs and disorganised defensive lines, exploiting even the smallest lapses of concentration," Mashhour added.
In addition to gruelling matchdays, the restrictions could also significantly increase injury risks.
Mashhour noted that scientific studies have linked frequent international travel in the weeks before competition with an increased risk of muscle injuries, particularly hamstring problems.
"Iran's schedule compresses those conditions into 12 days, with no overnight recovery at any venue and a support staff already reduced by US visa denials," she said.
In nearly 100 years of World Cup history, no host nation has ever been at war with a participating team. Nor have two countries at war ever faced each other at the tournament. But that could change this year.
If Iran overcome the logistical challenges and finish second in Group G, they could face the United States in the knockout stage should the Americans also finish as runners-up in Group D, setting up one of the most politically charged matches in World Cup history.
"Whether Iran can navigate these conditions well enough to get there is the question that will define their tournament," Mashhour said.