Iran denounces travel restrictions imposed by the United States ahead of the 2026 World Cup

The organization of the 2026 World Cup adds a new source of tension off the pitch. The Iranian Football Federation (FFI) denounced this Saturday the travel restrictions imposed by the United States on its national team and described them as a "dark spot" in World Cup history.

According to the information released, the complaint stems from the fact that the team will not be able to arrive at the venue for its match against Bélgica with the advance notice required by FIFA. The episode once again brings into question one of the central features of this World Cup: the logistical complexity of a competition played across three countries and over much greater distances than in previous editions.

A World Cup with an enormous logistical challenge

The 2026 tournament marks a break from recent World Cups. With venues spread across Estados Unidos, México y Canadá, the schedule and travel become a decisive factor for national teams, coaching staffs and fans.

The comparison with Qatar is telling: while in the last World Cup the distances between venues were around 71 kilometers, this summer they reach nearly 5.500 kilometers, according to the analysis published by Marca. That means longer trips, more planning and less room for improvisation.

In this context, Iran's situation does not appear to be an isolated case, but rather a sign of the problems that can arise in a World Cup spread across three host countries.

What it means for teams and supporters

The new 48-team format also multiplies the number of matches, host cities and possible routes for the teams. For fans, that affects ticket purchases, the choice of venues and travel planning.

At the same time, demand for tickets remains high. In recent hours, different pieces of World Cup coverage have once again put tickets at the center of the conversation, especially for matches involving high-demand teams such as España, which is already looking ahead to its games against Arabia Saudí and Uruguay.

Among the details that matter most for people planning to attend the tournament are:

• the distance from one venue to another;
• the availability of flights and domestic connections;
• the arrival times required by FIFA;
• and the need to decide in advance where to watch and follow each match.

FIFA under pressure over the organizational framework

The Iranian complaint also lands squarely on FIFA, which will have to manage not only the sporting schedule but also the conditions of access, movement and accommodation in a tournament of unprecedented scale. The fact that a national team warns it will not be able to meet the deadlines set for reasons outside the game shows just how much logistics can influence the competition.

Meanwhile, the 2026 edition is moving forward with an increasingly clear picture: more teams, more matches and a much broader geography than in any previous World Cup. For fans, that means scrutinizing the fixture closely. For the teams, it means living with a World Cup in which travel also plays its part.