INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Iran’s head coach, Amir Ghalenoei, labeled his squad as potentially “the most oppressed team in the entire World Cup,” noting that they had to promptly leave Los Angeles and return to their training camp in Tijuana, Mexico, right after their opening match.
Following a notably tense lead-up to the tournament, Iran finally took the field on Monday at SoFi Stadium, managing a draw of 2-2 against New Zealand in their politically charged opener.
Ghalenoei opened his post-match press conference by expressing dissatisfaction with the last-minute change to the team’s travel arrangements, which called for a return to Mexico on Tuesday.
Weeks before the tournament, Iran’s training camp was shifted from Arizona to Tijuana, even though all three of their group matches were set to occur within the United States.
The team had planned to fly to the U.S. two days prior to each match, returning the day following. However, they traveled to Los Angeles on Sunday and reported that their travel plans were altered once more after Monday’s game.
A source revealed that forward Mehdi Torabi’s visa had expired, prompting the team’s return to Tijuana post-match.
“We’ve spent too much time in transit, with no chance to recover,” Ghalenoei stated through an interpreter. “After today’s game, they told us, ‘You need to leave immediately.’
“Recovery time is crucial for us, yet we’ve been instructed to go back to Tijuana, which troubles us greatly.”
He continued, “I believe our team could be the most oppressed in the entire World Cup.”
Ghalenoei did not specify who ordered the team to depart on Monday night, although Iran’s captain, Mehdi Taremi, mentioned that FIFA president Gianni Infantino had visited the team in the locker room following the game.
“He certainly wants to assist us, but it’s about more than just this situation. Everyone understands it,” Taremi remarked. “I don’t need to spell it out, as you know what we are facing.
“I believe FIFA needs to provide us more support than this. We’ll see what unfolds in the coming days.”
Taremi and Ghalenoei also voiced frustration regarding the inability of Iran’s football federation president, Mehdi Taj, and other support staff to travel to the U.S.
“Everything is utterly chaotic for us,” Taremi expressed.
In an interview with ABC News, Andrew Giuliani, executive director of the White House World Cup task force, countered the Iranian team’s criticisms.
“The United States has been more than fair,” he told ABC News, adding, “We’ve secured visas for all 31 players and every coach to ensure competitive balance. Therefore, I would argue that we’re offering welcome hospitality.”
He also noted that visas for the surrounding team officials had been denied.
Iran made history as the first team to play in a World Cup hosted by a country they were at war with, following months of uncertainty regarding their participation.
The fact that Iran’s initial game took place near Los Angeles, which has the largest population of Iranians outside their home country—many of whom migrated after the 1979 Islamic Revolution—only heightened the tension.
While there were both audible jeers and enthusiastic cheers during the Iranian anthem, once play commenced, the crowd of 70,108 rallied robustly behind the Iranian team.
“We had a large Iranian presence here. They hold various political views and beliefs, but they all passionately supported us, which we consider a collective victory,” Ghalenoei remarked.
Fans waved both pre- and post-revolutionary flags in celebration when Ramin Rezaeian and Mohammad Mohebbi scored for Iran.
Despite FIFA’s prohibition on displaying pre-revolutionary lion-and-sun flags at World Cup stadiums—a ruling supported in an emergency hearing the morning of the match—these flags were visibly present at the event.
“I want to express my gratitude to the Iranians residing in Los Angeles; they created a fantastic atmosphere during the game,” Mohebbi stated.
Next, Iran will face European powerhouses Belgium on Sunday in Inglewood, followed by matches against Egypt and Mohamed Salah in Seattle on June 26.
All four teams in Group G finished their matches on Monday with draws, leaving them each with one point going into the next round of games.
Information from ABC News and Jeff Carlisle contributed to this report.