Iran head coach Amir Ghalenoei has labelled his side the “most oppressed” team at the World Cup after last-minute travel restrictions forced them to return to their training base in Mexico immediately following a 2-2 draw with New Zealand on Monday night.
Speaking after the match, Ghalenoei said the team had been scheduled to stay in Los Angeles overnight for a recovery session but were told to leave straight after the final whistle. “After the game they said to us, ‘you have to leave immediately’,” he said. “We’ve been asked to get on a plane and return to our camp in Tijuana and we are really troubled by that.”
“Iran's head coach says his team is the 'most oppressed' at the World Cup after being forced to return to Mexico immediately following their draw with New Zealand.”
The disruption adds to a tournament plagued by uncertainty for Iran, linked to the ongoing war in the Middle East and related security concerns. Multiple “integral” members of their backroom staff were denied entry visas for the US, while the Iranian Football Federation saw its allocation of tickets revoked on the eve of the tournament. Fifa president Gianni Infantino visited the Iran dressing room after the New Zealand game amid the tensions.
The team’s original base in Tucson, Arizona was abandoned in late May after logistical and visa issues forced them to relocate to Tijuana, Mexico. Ghalenoei expressed bewilderment at the latest setback. “We don’t know why they’re returning us, to be honest. I think it’s very strange. It seems like other are doing the planning for us.” He added: “I think our team is the most oppressed one in the whole World Cup. Our federation isn’t here, our media isn’t here, our management isn’t here.”
Iran captain Mehdi Taremi echoed his coach’s frustration, calling the situation a “disaster”. While he praised Infantino for visiting the team and allowing them to express concerns, he urged the governing body to do more.
The team now faces a journey back to Los Angeles for their next match against Belgium on 21 June, in a city home to the biggest population of Iranians outside Iran. Many of them fled after the Islamic Revolution and vehemently oppose the regime – and any deal by President Trump that would keep it in place.
In stark contrast, the tournament has begun with joy for the United States, who thrashed Paraguay 4-1 in their opening match. Former US international Brian McBride praised the team’s momentum. “The most important thing you get in the World Cup is momentum and a lot of times, that momentum can carry you on to a bit of luck and some better results (than expected),” he told Reuters. “But certainly what it does is it gives you the belief that you're able to continue down that same path.”
The US next face Australia in Seattle on Friday, while Iran will try to regroup against Belgium. Political tension has already undermined World Cup joy for Iran’s striker, according to reports, leaving their campaign mired in uncertainty.