Iran’s head coach Amir Ghalenoei has claimed that they are the “most oppressed” team at the World Cup following last-minute travel restrictions imposed on them.
After his team’s 2-2 draw with New Zealand on Monday night, Ghalenoei stated that they had planned to stay in Los Angeles overnight for recovery but were informed to return immediately to their training base in Tijuana, Mexico, right after the match concluded.
Initially, Iran was set to be based in Tucson, Arizona, for the tournament but had to relocate their training camp to Tijuana in late May due to logistical and visa complications.
“After the game, they told us we had to leave immediately,” Ghalenoei expressed. “We were instructed to board a plane back to Tijuana, and this development has deeply unsettled us.
“We are being forced to return early, and the obstacles keep piling up. However, we are determined not to let this affect our performance.”
Iran’s participation in the World Cup has been fraught with uncertainty, stemming from ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and related security issues.
Numerous key members of their support staff were denied entry visas to the U.S., prompting the Iranian Football Federation (FFIRI) to urge FIFA to maintain “neutrality, fairness, and established regulations” after their ticket allocation was revoked just before the tournament commenced.
Iran is set to return to Los Angeles for their upcoming match against Belgium on June 21 at 20:00 BST, followed by their final Group G match against Egypt in Seattle on June 27 at 04:00.
“We really don’t understand the reasons behind our return,” Ghalenoei remarked. “It feels peculiar; it’s as if others are making our plans for us.
“We were meant to arrive two nights before the game, but they didn’t allow that. We were supposed to spend the night here for recovery and leave tomorrow afternoon.”
“I believe our team is the most oppressed in the entire World Cup. Our federation is not present, our media is absent, and our management is missing.”
Team captain Mehdi Taremi echoed his coach’s sentiments, describing their circumstances as a “disaster.”
While he appreciated Infantino’s visit and the opportunity to voice their concerns, Taremi called for FIFA to provide more support to the national team.
“This situation is detrimental to us and to football overall,” Taremi said. “During a World Cup, adequate preparation is crucial for managing the stress that players and staff endure. Unfortunately, we are lacking that support, and I believe FIFA should assist us more comprehensively.”