Iran’s national football team is stuck training in Tijuana, Mexico, because US sanctions won’t let them cross the border early for their World Cup match against Belgium on June 21 in Los Angeles. The Iranian Football Federation, known as FFIRI, has filed a formal complaint with FIFA over travel restrictions that limit the squad to same-day entry and exit protocols.

The football problem

FFIRI requested permission for the team to arrive in Los Angeles two days before kickoff, a standard practice for any national team preparing for a World Cup match. The request was denied.

US sanctions policies on Iran require the delegation to enter and exit the country on the same day as the match. That means no advance…