Egypt's request to fly directly from Vancouver to Seattle for their final World Cup group game against Iran was denied by US authorities, according to manager Hossam Hassan.
The Pharaohs face Iran at Lumen Field on Friday looking to wrap up a place in the Round of 32 and made a late request to stay in the city ahead of the match.
Local officials rejected the plan on security grounds, and Egypt instead returned to their training base at Spokane, about 280 miles east of Seattle.
“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," Egypt manager Hassan said in a statement released by the Egyptian Football Association.
"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."
Egypt are top of Group G after recording a 3-1 win over New Zealand - their first victory in a World Cup match.
That took them to four points and as good as secured their place in the next round. A point against Iran will guarantee progress, while victory will ensure they go through as group winners.
Best of World Cup 2026 - in pictures
-
Argentina's Lionel Messi becomes the all-time leading World Cup goalscorer with his first strike against Austria. Reuters -
Ismaila Sarr of Senegal retrieves the ball after scoring his team's second goal against Norway. AFP -
Norway players perform the traditional rowing celebration after their 3-2 win over Senegal. Reuters -
France goalscorer Kylian Mbappe is embraced by head coach Didier Deschamps during their win over Iraq. AFP -
Cape Verde's Helio Varela gets past Uruguay's Fernando Muslera before scoring their second goal. Reuters -
Varela celebrates with teammates after scoring his team's second goal against Uruguay in Miami. AFP -
Mikel Oyarzabal of Spain scores his team's second goal against Saudi Arabia in Atlanta. AFP -
Hossam Abdelmaguid of Egypt leaves the pitch after an injury during the match against New Zealand. EPA -
Mohamed Salah of Egypt scores his team's second goal against New Zealand in Vancouver. AFP -
Thibaut Courtois of Belgium watches the ball go past for a goal that was eventually called back during the match with Iran in Los Angeles. AFP -
Ismael Saibari of Morocco scores against Scotland at Boston Stadium. AFP -
Japan's Daichi Kamada scores his country's first goal against Tunisia in Monterrey, Mexico. Reuters -
Germany's Deniz Undav celebrates scoring his team's equaliser against Ivory Coast in Toronto, Canada. Reuters -
Eloy Room of Curacao makes a save against Gonzalo Plata of Ecuador in Kansas City, US. AFP -
Netherlands fans make their way to Houston Stadium before their country's match against Sweden. Reuters -
Gustaf Lagerbielke of Sweden tackles Cody Gakpo of the Netherlands in Houston, US. EPA -
Swiss fans celebrate their team's victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina in Los Angeles, US. AFP -
Leroy Sane of Germany shows off holes cut in his socks during training in Massachusetts. Getty Images -
Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou and Scotland's Ben Gannon-Doak in action at Boston Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. EPA -
Croatia's Petar Musa scores his side's second goal against England at the Dallas Stadium in Arlington, US. PA -
Lionel Messi walks to take a corner during the match between Argentina and Algeria at Kansas City Stadium. AFP
