LOS ANGELES: Iran head coach Amir Ghalenoei has labeled his squad the “most oppressed team” of the World Cup after players were abruptly ordered to depart the United States immediately following their opening match in Los Angeles on Monday night.
Following a hard-fought 2-2 draw against New Zealand, the Iranian national team was informed just hours after the final whistle that they were required to abandon their plans to stay overnight in California and instead board a flight for the 140-mile journey back to their training base in Tijuana, Mexico.
Speaking through an interpreter, Ghalenoei expressed frustration over the lack of recovery time afforded to his players. “They didn’t even give us time to recover,” Ghalenoei said. “After the game today, they told us, ‘You have to leave immediately.’ Recovery is vital for us, yet we were forced to return to our camp in Tijuana. We are deeply troubled by this.”
The incident marks the latest in a series of logistical crises for a team competing in a tournament co-hosted by the US, Mexico, and Canada amidst a volatile diplomatic relationship between Tehran and Washington. Despite a peace deal announced Sunday that ended months of military conflict, the US government allegedly delayed player travel documents until the last minute and refused visas for several key support staff members.
These hurdles forced the team to relocate its training camp from Tucson, Arizona, to Tijuana at the eleventh hour. Ghalenoei noted that the ongoing interference has hampered the team’s preparation. “They delayed our arrivals, and now they are forcing us to leave early without time to recover,” he told reporters. “They are creating more and more hurdles, but we will not let that stop us from doing our best.”
The coach further revealed that technical staff have had to assume administrative and managerial roles to fill gaps left by missing personnel. “That’s why I believe we are the most oppressed team in the World Cup,” he stated.
Star striker Mehdi Taremi echoed these sentiments, describing the team’s experience as a “disaster.” Taremi highlighted the immense psychological toll on the squad, noting that players only learned of the immediate departure on the day of the match.
“It is a lot of stress for the players and staff, and we aren’t receiving the necessary support. I believe FIFA must provide more assistance,” Taremi said. “Everything has been a disaster for us. We are exhausted by this situation. We simply want peace and joy, which should be the heart of FIFA.”
Taremi added that FIFA President Gianni Infantino visited the Iranian dressing room to discuss the situation, stating, “He wants to try to help us, but this involves factors beyond just football.”
