Iran team must leave US within hours of World Cup matches, official says
US officials have confirmed that Iran's national team will be required to leave the United States within hours of the final whistle of its World Cup group-stage matches in Los Angeles and Seattle.
The policy drew criticism after questions were raised about the handling of visas and travel arrangements for the Iranian squad following its opening match.
Andrew Giuliani, executive director of the White House Fifa Task Force, defended the arrangement, telling The Associated Press: "We were clear this was the process."
The United States, one of the co-hosts of the 2026 World Cup, has faced scrutiny over the travel restrictions imposed on the Iranian team amid wider tensions between Washington and Tehran.