Iran’s team is already fed up with the 2026 World Cup’s treatment after being asked to leave the United States as soon as Monday’s 2-2 draw against New Zealand ended.
All three of Iran’s group matches are on US soil, but the team has been barred from staying in America for the duration of its involvement in the tournament.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said, ‘there is no reason to deny them the opportunity to stay in Mexico.’
Iran is only allowed in the US for matches. Team official Abolfazl Pasandideh confirmed, ‘We can enter in the morning and we have to leave the same day.’
That meant flying out of Los Angeles right after facing New Zealand. Manager Amir Ghalenoei complained about the negative impact of those strict measures.
Ghalenoei said, ‘We spent so much time commuting in the air. They didn’t even give us time to recover after the game. They said we had to leave immediately.’
Ghalenoei continued, ‘It is very important for us to have time to recover, and yet we have been asked to return to Tijuana and we are very disturbed by this.’
Only time will tell what form that apparently delayed ‘help’ now takes.
Iran is fighting hard just to get on the field.
Although players are at least allowed to enter the US for matches, 15 staff members have been denied outright.
Captain Mehdi Taremi said, ‘We don’t have our president or anyone from the staff, which is so important for us.’
Taremi continued, ‘It’s so bad and it’s affecting our team, and we just want peace, which is the focus of FIFA.’
Ghalenoei said, ‘Our team is the most downtrodden in the entire World Cup.’
Ghalenoei added, ‘The federation is absent here. Our press is not here. Our management team, many of them are not here.’
Iran is struggling with visa issues, strict travel restrictions, and limited support from FIFA.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino visited the dressing room of the Iran national football team following the Iran-New Zealand Group G match of the 2026 World Cup.
— Hatam Shiralizadeh (@HatamDaddy) June 16, 2026
Infantino praised the players, saying, ‘You’re making history and the whole world is watching. Keep playing with the heart.’
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has been criticized for his handling of visa issues for participants at all levels.
FIFA quickly said nothing could be done to help Omar Artan, the Somali referee denied him entry to the US.
Infantino’s presence in Iran’s dressing room on Monday was filmed and widely shared on social media.
Infantino said, ‘I know what you’re going through, I understand, but you’re stronger than anything.’
Taremi said that the Iranian players asked the FIFA president to intervene, to which there was a positive response.
FIFA president promises to ‘help’ Iran.
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