The details, disclosed only after Iran concluded its World Cup campaign, shed light on one of the tournament's most sensitive security and diplomatic challenges. It marked the first time in history that a team from a country engaged in an active military standoff with the United States competed on American soil.
Andrew Giuliani, Director of the White House Task Force for the 2026 World Cup, said the US administration had developed a dedicated security plan to ensure the safety of the Iranian squad.
Under the arrangement, Iran was based in Tijuana, Mexico, and was flown into the United States only shortly before matches. Giuliani noted that the flight from Tijuana to Los Angeles, where Iran played its group-stage matches, took just 27 minutes, allowing the team to minimize its time in the US while maintaining the same training and playing conditions as other participating teams.
After the first two trips proceeded without incident, US authorities eased the restrictions and allowed the Iranian team to remain in Seattle for an additional day following its final match.
Giuliani said the objective was to create a "level playing field" for all teams, regardless of political tensions between their governments. He said the US administration did not want players to be affected by diplomatic disputes off the pitch.
Meanwhile, a representative of the Federal Bureau of Investigation said security arrangements for the Iranian team followed the same standards applied to all other participating teams. Measures included protection for the team's accommodation, training facilities, and travel routes, as well as the immediate investigation of any threats directed at the team or its supporters.
The FBI worked closely with FIFA, local law enforcement agencies, and federal authorities to ensure the safety and security of the Iranian delegation throughout its stay in the US.
