The United States has eased travel restrictions for Iran’s World Cup team, allowing them to enter the country two days ahead of their next match. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced this development on Tuesday. Despite this change, the team must leave immediately after their match on Friday in Seattle.

A spokesperson from the Iran Football Federation confirmed the team’s departure from their base camp in Tijuana, Mexico, scheduled for Wednesday. Andrew Giuliani, executive director of the White House FIFA Task Force, explained the decision, referencing the smooth execution of earlier team movements.

This policy update, initially reported by NBC News, surfaces while both nations engage in negotiations surrounding the war in Iran. Iran’s squad has faced travel restrictions and logistical challenges since the conflict’s onset. In March, Iran requested relocation of its group-stage matches to Mexico, a country with which they maintain diplomatic ties. Their request to shift the base camp from Tucson, Arizona, to Tijuana was approved shortly before their team arrived. Some officials and support staff associated with Iran’s team have been denied entry into the U.S.

For their initial matches around Los Angeles, Iran’s team traveled only a day prior. Iran’s coach Amir Ghalenoei has voiced concerns regarding these restrictions, noting the significant disadvantage of limited preparation time. He emphasized the need for recovery, particularly after a challenging 0-0 draw against Belgium. Despite FIFA regulations accommodating same-day or day-before travels, Iran requested additional time for acclimation owing to extensive travel distances.

The team will conduct Thursday training at the University of Washington. Captain Alireza Jahanbakhsh expressed hope for equal procedure observance as other participating teams. Frequent entries and exits from the U.S. have posed further difficulties, with a short flight from Tijuana to Los Angeles taking up to five hours before their match against New Zealand. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin claimed a recent security breach attempt by an individual with Iran’s Revolutionary Guard ties. The soccer federation denied these allegations.

While Iranian players and coaches have generally avoided political discourse, they symbolically highlighted victims of a missile strike on an elementary school. During their Mexico arrival, players donned pins inscribed with ‘168,’ denoting the victims’ tally. They also left peace-promoting messages post-match at SoFi Stadium in California.

At their final Tijuana training before heading to Seattle, four small flags marked ‘168’ adorned the field. It remains uncertain whether Egypt, Iran’s upcoming opponent, will receive similar pre-match accommodations. Egypt faced a denied last-minute request for direct travel to Seattle. Consequently, the team returned to its Spokane base camp.

Egypt’s national team has yet to comment on the situation.

The Associated Press contributed reports and video journalism from Tijuana, Mexico.