Iran Asked To Leave USA Immediately After New Zealand WC Draw: 'We're The Most Oppressed Team'
Iran Asked To Leave USA Immediately After New Zealand WC Draw: 'We're The Most Oppressed Team' Published By, Last Updated: June 16, 2026, 12:39 IST
Iran Asked To Leave USA Immediately After New Zealand WC Draw: 'We're The Most Oppressed Team' Published By, Last Updated: June 16, 2026, 12:39 IST Coach Amir Ghalenoei says Iran are the most oppressed World Cup team while claiming his squad has been told to leave the USA immediately. Rapid Read Iranian players pose for a group photo. (AP Photo) Amir Ghalenoei, the Iran football team coach, has labelled his team as the “most oppressed in the World Cup" claiming his players were abruptly told they must return to Mexico immediately following their opening match in Los Angeles late Monday. Iran played out an entertaining 2-2 draw with New Zealand to open their campaign. The latest development reportedly has added to a string of logistical problems for Iran at a tournament being co-hosted by the USA, Mexico, and Canada, where the team arrived amid heightened political tension between Tehran and Washington. The situation was further complicated by months of military conflict between the two countries, which only ended after a peace deal was announced on Sunday.
According to team officials, the United States initially refused visas for some members of Iran’s support staff and only issued travel documents to players at the last possible moment. Iran‘s squad had originally planned to establish its training base in Tucson, Arizona, but was forced to relocate at the last minute to Tijuana, Mexico due to ongoing visa and logistical complications. “They delayed our arrivals, (now) they are forcing us to go back early without time for recovery," Ghalenoei told journalists following a 2-2 draw with New Zealand. “They are making the situation more and more difficult, facing us with more hurdles, but we’re not going to let that stop us from doing our best." Ghalenoei also said the team had been previously informed they would be allowed to remain in the United States until Tuesday lunchtime “to recover." That permission, however, was later revoked. “But again they haven’t permitted us," he said. “To be honest, I have no idea why they haven’t told us." He added that the disruption had forced technical staff to assume additional managerial responsibilities in the absence of key personnel.
“That’s why I think we are the most oppressed team in the World Cup," he said. Iran’s opening match against New Zealand took place in Los Angeles on Monday, just one day after a peace agreement between the United States and Iran was announced, described as bringing an “immediate and permanent" end to military operations on all fronts. Forward Mehdi Taremi also criticised the conditions surrounding the team, calling the situation a “disaster" after the match. “It’s a lot of stress for the players and staffs and everyone, but we don’t have that support, and I think FIFA have to help us more than this," he told reporters. He added: “Everything is like disaster, actually, for us." Taremi said the players only learned on match day that they would be required to leave the United States immediately after the game. “We are just tired of this situation, because from two months ago, last month, we’re having a lot of problems, you know? It’s so bad, and it affects our team. We just want the peace, which is the centers of FIFA, ‘peace, joy,’ and those things." He said FIFA president Gianni Infantino had visited the Iran dressing room to discuss the situation.
The BriefWire