Salah's Egypt barred from Seattle stay after historic first World Cup win

Egypt were denied permission to stay in Seattle after beating New Zealand 3-1 on Thursday in what was the country’s first-ever World Cup victory, the Egyptian Football Association confirmed. Mohamed Salah scored in the win, which moved Egypt a significant step closer to qualifying for the round of 32 in Vancouver, Canada.

The squad had requested to remain in Seattle following the match to reduce travel ahead of their Group G fixture against Iran on June 27, also in Seattle. Local security officials rejected the request, leaving the seven-time Africa Cup of Nations champions with no choice but to return to Spokane, their designated tournament base.

Egypt head coach Hossam Hassan addressed the disruption in a statement issued by the Egyptian FA. “The security authorities refused the team’s request to stay in the city of Seattle as planned after the New Zealand match in the World Cup, and therefore the team’s delegation will return to the city of Spokane,” he said. “The team had wanted to travel directly to Seattle to preserve the players from travel fatigue due to the numerous trips in preparation for the Iran match on June 26, but following the security stance, the Egypt national team delegation will return to Spokane.”

Egypt will now resume training in Spokane before travelling to Kansas City on an alternative date — an added logistical burden that complicates their preparation for what is a pivotal group-stage encounter.

Their opponents Iran have faced even more severe travel disruption throughout the tournament. Based in Tijuana, Mexico, despite all their group matches being played in the United States, Iran have been required to travel to Los Angeles for fixtures against New Zealand and Belgium before flying straight back across the border after each game.

The situation around Iran’s travel arrangements has attracted wider controversy. Prior to their match against Belgium, US Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin alleged that an individual with direct links to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps attempted to board the team’s flight to Los Angeles. Iran dismissed the claim as “lies” and suggested it was an attempt to destabilise their World Cup campaign. Head coach Amir Ghalenoei has spoken publicly about the difficulties his squad has faced navigating the logistical and political pressures surrounding their participation.