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The Iranian team is based in Tijuana, Mexico, and faces travel restrictions due to their country's strained relations with the USA. For their matches against New Zealand and Belgium in California, they were only permitted to travel to Los Angeles less than 24 hours before kickoff and had to return to Mexico on the same day. However, for their journey to the more distant Seattle, they have been granted an extra day.
“We planned it this way from the beginning. We wanted to see how the first two transfers would go, and since they proceeded without complications, we could grant the Iranians an extra day for the longer trip,” stated Andrew Giuliani, director of the FIFA World Cup 2026 White House Task Force, according to AP.
More on the 2026 FIFA World Cup:
- Full Schedule
- Complete Results
- Standings
- 2026 FIFA World Cup News
- World Cup TV Schedule
- Team Kits
- Stadiums
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