Iran were forced to leave Los Angeles and return to their base in Mexico immediately after their World Cup opener against New Zealand, a decision that head coach Amir Ghalenoei has criticised.
Iran faced several challenges before the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. There were concerns about whether the team would take part in the tournament because of tensions in the Middle East.
The team also dealt with visa issues and had to move their base camp after the United States refused to host them. FIFA also rejected Iran’s request to play all three of their group-stage matches in Mexico, citing logistical reasons.
On Monday, Iran began their Group H campaign with a 2-2 draw against New Zealand at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Los Angeles.
Reports say the Iranian team had planned to stay in California after the match to recover before returning to their base camp in Tijuana, Mexico, on Tuesday. However, those plans changed after the game.
Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei said his team was told they had to leave Los Angeles immediately after the match.
“After the game today they said to us, ‘You have to leave immediately,’” Ghalenoi said. “Whereas today it’s very important for us to have recovery.
“We’ve been asked to get on a plane and return to our camp in Tijuana and we are really troubled by that. They are forcing us to go back early. They are making the situation more and more difficult, more hurdles, but we’re not going to let that stop us from doing our best.”
Ghalenoei also said he felt Iran had been treated unfairly during the tournament.
“We don’t know why they’re returning us, to be honest. I think it’s very strange,” he said.
“It seems like others are doing the planning for us. We were supposed to arrive two nights before the game but they didn’t permit [it]. We were supposed to stay here tonight to recover and return tomorrow lunchtime.”
“I think our team is the most oppressed one in the whole World Cup,” added Ghalenoei. “Our federation isn’t here, our media isn’t here, our management isn’t here.”
After the match, FIFA president Gianni Infantino visited Iran’s dressing room and praised the players for their effort.
“You showed to your families, friends, to your people, to the world, that you’re in the World Cup, that you perform and you have two more games to go,” Infantino said.
“In these two games, you will make again everyone in the world proud of what you do. Thank you for being here.
“It is also a big, big emotion. I know what you go through, I understand, but you are stronger than everything. You send a strong message to the entire world. Like tonight you united the whole stadium here, you united the whole stadium behind you, behind Team Melli. You are sending such a strong message to the world.
“Let me say one more thing: this is just the beginning of the World Cup. You are writing history, the whole world is watching you. Continue to play with your heart, for your people, your families, for your fans and for everyone in the world that is falling in love with Team Melli. You are stronger than everything.”
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