Security officials reject Egypt stay in Seattle before Iran match

Egypt will not fly straight from Vancouver to Seattle for its final FIFA World Cup group match against Iran after local security officials rejected the plan, coach Hossam Hassan said. The decision changes Egypt’s planned preparation after the team secured its first World Cup win.

Hassan said in a statement released Monday by the Egyptian Football Association that security authorities refused Egypt’s request to stay in Seattle after the New Zealand match. He said the delegation would instead return to Spokane, the team’s training base.

Reuters reported Hassan’s comments. According to a Daily Mail report cited by Reuters, Egypt had asked to remain in Seattle this week but will go back to Spokane, which is about 450km, or 280 miles, east of Seattle.

The change comes after Egypt beat New Zealand 3-1 on Sunday in Vancouver. Reuters reported that Mohamed Salah scored as Egypt came from behind to record the country’s first victory at a World Cup.

Egypt’s next match is against Iran in its final group fixture. Hassan did not give further details in the reported statement about why security officials declined the team’s request.

This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.