Iran Coach Denounces US Travel Restrictions and Visa Denials Ahead of World Cup Clash with Belgium

INGLEWOOD: Iran head coach Amir Ghalenoei has criticized the United States for treating his squad unfairly through strict travel restrictions and visa refusals during the World Cup. Despite the challenges, Ghalenoei remains hopeful that FIFA can persuade American authorities to ease these constraints for the team’s upcoming fixtures.

“I am very glad that the Iranian nation is behind us,” Ghalenoei stated via an interpreter. “Our martyrs in Iran, we play for them. But I know that this kind of behavior has hurt our people. It just shows we are an oppressed country. Nevertheless, I hope we achieve peace, and I hope this kind of behavior does not become institutionalized in the World Cup.”

The Iranian national team returned to the Los Angeles area on Saturday to prepare for Sunday’s match against Belgium, the world’s No. 10 ranked team. Ghalenoei revealed that he was forced to cut training sessions short after a request to travel on Friday was denied.

“We needed 24 hours in Los Angeles, but they gave us less than 16, which is why we had to leave our training halfway,” Ghalenoei explained. “These constraints have made it very difficult for us.”

The coach also expressed disappointment that other participating managers have remained silent regarding Iran’s treatment. “I ask the other 47 coaches a question, and none of them have responded to me,” he said. “We are here for football, not politics. If I had seen another team being treated the way we are, I would say something.”

Due to restrictions imposed by the US following the outbreak of conflict on Feb. 28, Team Melli has been required to fly into the US only the day before a match and return immediately to their training base in Tijuana, Mexico. While some teams travel in similar windows voluntarily, Iran’s midfielder Saeid Ezatolahi noted that the forced nature of the schedule has been disruptive.

“You cannot deny that our situation hasn’t been the same as all the other teams,” Ezatolahi said. “All the other teams have managed to focus on their planning, whereas we have had to spend so much time just commuting.”

Ghalenoei praised FIFA President Gianni Infantino for his efforts to negotiate better terms, noting that the US has reportedly allowed the team to arrive in Seattle two days early for their final group stage match against Egypt. “For the third game, they said, ‘In Seattle, you can do what you want,’” Ghalenoei said. “But my problem is, why didn’t they let us come earlier for the first two games as well?”

The coach revealed that FIFA spent Friday attempting to secure Friday travel to Los Angeles, but the negotiations were unsuccessful. “That’s going to affect us mentally,” Ghalenoei added. “As a head coach, I want to focus on technical things.”

Iran’s opening match at SoFi Stadium resulted in a 2-2 draw with New Zealand, a game preceded by a five-hour commute and customs delays. Ghalenoei expressed frustration at being ordered out of the country immediately after the match, preventing the team from optimizing their recovery period.

While Ghalenoei acknowledged that customs and hotel check-ins were more efficient during this second trip to Los Angeles, he continued to protest the visa denials issued to key support personnel, including the head of Iran’s football federation, media relations staff, and coaching assistants. “Such kind of behavior is not suitable for a World Cup,” Ghalenoei said. “You invite a team, but you don’t let in their support staff?”

Ghalenoei noted that the Iranian soccer federation has chosen to air these grievances publicly rather than lodging a formal complaint with FIFA.

Belgium’s Thomas Meunier expressed empathy for the Iranian squad, drawing parallels to Ukraine’s experience following the Russian invasion. “We usually don’t mix football with politics, but it’s quite challenging to separate the two,” Meunier said. “This period should push the Iranian team to do better. When we played Ukraine in the Nations League, there was very high motivation. They want to make their people proud and defend their nation. I would imagine some Iranian players have family directly impacted by the war, and we obviously feel for these people.”

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