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Iran manager Amir Ghalenoei said connected Monday (June 15, 2026) his squad were being “oppressed” owed to last-minute travel changes stemming from tensions betwixt Iran and the U.S., adding the disruption had affected their show aft a 2-2 gully with New Zealand.
The Iranian shot federation had negotiated a precocious determination of the team’s basal campy from Arizona to Mexico amid uncertainty implicit U.S. visas and a increasing consciousness that the squad’s beingness successful the United States should beryllium kept to a minimum, Iran’s ambassador to Mexico has told Reuters.
FIFA World Cup 2026: Iran vs New Zealand HIGHLIGHTS
Ghalenoei, 62, said they had suffered further disruption, with Iran expecting to remain successful Los Angeles overnight connected Monday (June 15, 2026) but alternatively being required to return instantly to Mexico.
“We’re expected to enactment present contiguous to recover and instrumentality time lunchtime, but they haven’t permitted us,” Ghalenoei said. “To beryllium honest, I person nary thought why. I deliberation possibly our squad is the astir oppressed 1 successful the full World Cup."
He did not say who had imposed the restriction.
The U.S. State Department did not instantly respond to a petition for comment.
FIFA did not instantly respond to a petition for comment.
The run-up to the lucifer had been 1 of drama distant from the pitch, with the squad playing connected U.S. ungraded hardly 24 hours aft a bid woody was announced to extremity the warfare that began erstwhile the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran successful February.
Iran guardant Mehdi Taremi said the restrictions were preventing them from playing their champion astatine the tournament.
"It's not bully for us. I deliberation it's not bully for football," helium said. "I deliberation FIFA person to assistance america much than this."
Taremi described a rushed ambiance connected Sunday, with question from Tijuana to Los Angeles, past to their edifice and yet to the stadium to spot the pitch. They should person had 2 days to settee successful to L.A., helium added.
"It's truthful atrocious and it affects our squad and we conscionable privation peace," said Taremi, adding that FIFA President Gianni Infantino had visited the Iran changing country connected Monday (June 15, 2026).
Coach Ghalenoei besides highlighted the lack of cardinal backroom staff, with some officials and media incapable to question owed to visa restrictions, leaving coaches to instrumentality connected further responsibilities connected the bench.
“Our absorption team, galore of them aren’t here,” helium said.
“We had to woody with those roles ourselves.”
Despite the disruption, Ghalenoei praised his players for their resilience successful earning a draw, though helium said the question demands had taken a toll with respective players suffering cramp, which helium linked to fatigue from the other travel.
