The United States has eased travel restrictions on Iran’s World Cup team, allowing the squad to enter the country two days before its next tournament match, a move that officials say follows a review of security arrangements and travel procedures.

The decision was announced by the US Department of Homeland Security on Tuesday and comes as Iran prepares for its final group-stage fixture against Egypt in Seattle on Friday. Despite the adjustment, Iranian players and staff will still be required to leave the United States after the match.

Iran’s Football Federation confirmed that the team would depart its base camp in Tijuana, Mexico, on Wednesday and travel to Seattle, where it is scheduled to train at the University of Washington on Thursday.

Andrew Giuliani, executive director of the White House FIFA Task Force, said the easing of restrictions had been anticipated from the outset.

“This was planned on our end,” Giuliani told The Associated Press. He explained that officials intended to evaluate the team’s first two cross-border movements before deciding whether additional travel flexibility could be granted.

The change follows complaints from Iranian officials and players about the travel arrangements imposed since the start of the tournament. Iran had originally requested that its group-stage matches be moved to Mexico, citing difficulties linked to the conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel. While that request was not approved, FIFA allowed the team to establish its base camp in Tijuana rather than Tucson, Arizona.

For Iran’s first two matches near Los Angeles, players were only permitted to travel into the United States the day before kick-off. Head coach Amir Ghalenoei argued that the arrangement placed his team at a disadvantage, particularly ahead of Sunday’s goalless draw with Belgium.

“Right now we need recovery more than anything,” Ghalenoei said after the match, noting that the conditions had been challenging for the squad.

Team captain Alireza Jahanbakhsh also called for equal treatment, saying Iran was seeking the same procedures available to other participating nations.

The Iranian team has reported difficulties crossing the border between Mexico and the United States. Captain Mehdi Taremi said a normally short flight between Tijuana and Los Angeles took several hours ahead of the team’s opening match against New Zealand.

Tensions also emerged after US Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin alleged that an individual with ties to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard had attempted to enter the United States with the delegation. Iran’s Football Federation strongly denied the claim, describing it as false.

While Iranian players have largely avoided commenting directly on the conflict in the Middle East, they have made symbolic gestures during the tournament, including wearing pins commemorating victims of a missile strike that occurred earlier this year.

It remains unclear whether Egypt, Iran’s upcoming opponent, will receive similar travel accommodations ahead of Friday’s match in Seattle.