Iran head coach Amir Ghalenoei has claimed his team was ordered to leave Los Angeles immediately after their 2-2 draw with New Zealand on Monday, disrupting their planned recovery schedule.
The Iranian squad had intended to remain in California overnight before returning to its World Cup base camp in Tijuana, Mexico, on Tuesday, June 16. However, Ghalenoei said the team was instructed to depart shortly after the match.
“They didn’t even give us time to recover after the game today,” Ghalenoei said through FIFA’s interpreter. “We were told we had to leave immediately. Recovery is very important for us after a match like this, but instead we were asked to board a plane and return to our camp in Tijuana. We are really troubled by that.”
Iran’s participation in the World Cup had remained uncertain until shortly before the tournament due to tensions arising from the country’s conflict with the United States and Israel.
The team was originally expected to establish its base camp in Arizona, but those plans were later changed, with Tijuana selected as its headquarters instead.
Although all members of the playing squad, including captain Mehdi Taremi, were granted visas to enter the United States, several support staff members and Iranian journalists were reportedly denied entry permits.
Taremi and teammate Mohammad Mohebi revealed that FIFA president Gianni Infantino visited the team’s dressing room before the match and assured them of support, though they did not specify what assistance had been offered.
Ghalenoei expressed frustration over the challenges facing his side, describing Iran as one of the most disadvantaged teams at the tournament.
“Perhaps our team is the most oppressed in the entire World Cup,” he said. “Our federation president is absent, our media representatives are not here, and many members of our management team were unable to attend. We also lost members of our coaching staff who normally help during matches, including with substitutions. That is why I believe we are the most oppressed team in the World Cup.”
