Iran coach slams FIFA, US over forced exit after 2-2 World Cup draw
Synopsis
Iran’s World Cup is being played on two fronts — on the pitch and off it. Forced out of Los Angeles the moment their 2-2 draw with New Zealand ended, coach Amir Ghalenoei called his side the ‘most oppressed team in the whole World Cup.’ With a base in Tijuana and every US match requiring a cross-border commute, Iran’s tournament is unlike any other team’s.
Key Takeaways
Iran drew 2-2 with New Zealand in their FIFA World Cup 2026 Group G opener at SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles on Tuesday .
Coach Amir Ghalenoei said the team was ordered to leave the US immediately after the match, reversing an earlier assurance they could stay until lunchtime.
Iran is based in Tijuana, Mexico , and must cross the border for every US-hosted match in the tournament.
Striker Mehdi Taremi described the situation as a ‘disaster,’ citing stress on players and staff.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino visited the Iran dressing room after the match; no details of the discussion were disclosed.
Iran’s next match against Belgium is also at SoFi Stadium on Sunday , requiring another cross-border round trip.
Iran head coach Amir Ghalenoei publicly criticised FIFA and US authorities on Tuesday after his squad was ordered to leave Los Angeles immediately following their 2-2 draw with New Zealand in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group G opener at SoFi Stadium. The abrupt itinerary change, Ghalenoei said, compounded a series of logistical obstacles that have dogged Iran's World Cup preparations from the outset.
What Happened After the Final Whistle
According to Ghalenoei, the team had previously been assured it could remain in the United States until Tuesday lunchtime to recover. That arrangement was reversed the moment the match ended. 'After the game they said to us, ‘you have to leave immediately.’ We’ve been asked to get on a plane and return to our camp in Tijuana, and we are really troubled by that,' the coach told reporters at the post-match press conference.
He added: '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.'
A Pattern of Obstacles, Iran Says
Ghalenoei outlined what he described as a sustained pattern of restrictions placed on his side. The squad had reportedly been denied permission to arrive two nights before the match as originally planned, and was then denied the post-match recovery window it had been promised. 'I think our team is the most oppressed one in the whole World Cup. Our federation isn’t here, our media isn’t here, our management isn’t here,' he said.
Iran striker Mehdi Taremi was equally blunt, calling the situation a 'disaster.' 'It’s a lot of stress for the players and staff, we are just tired of this situation, it’s so bad, and it affects our team,' Taremi said.
Geopolitical Shadow Over Iran's Campaign
Iran’s participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup has been clouded by uncertainty from the start, linked to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and associated security concerns. The team is based in Tijuana, Mexico — across the US border — reportedly due to restrictions on their presence inside the United States. This arrangement means Iran must make repeated cross-border journeys for every US-hosted match, adding logistical strain that no other competing nation faces.
Notably, FIFA president Gianni Infantino visited the Iran dressing room after the New Zealand match and held discussions with the team, though no details of that conversation have been made public.
What Lies Ahead for Iran in Group G
Iran’s travel difficulties are not a one-off. Their next Group G fixture — against Belgium — is also scheduled at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on Sunday. The squad will be required to return to Tijuana, then travel back into the United States later in the week for that match. The cycle of cross-border movement, the coaching staff argues, places Iran at a competitive disadvantage relative to other teams in the tournament.
Point of View
As tournament organiser, is responsible for managing. Ghalenoei’s claim that the federation, media, and management are all absent is a significant welfare signal, not just a complaint. FIFA’s response — Infantino visiting the dressing room — is symbolic; what Iran’s camp appears to need is operational, not ceremonial. If these conditions persist into the knockout rounds, the question of competitive fairness will only grow louder.
NationPress
2 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Iran forced to leave Los Angeles immediately after their World Cup match?
Coach Amir Ghalenoei said the team was told to board a plane to Tijuana, Mexico immediately after the 2-2 draw with New Zealand, reversing an earlier assurance that they could remain in the US until Tuesday lunchtime. No official explanation from FIFA or US authorities was provided at the press conference.
Where is Iran based during the 2026 FIFA World Cup?
Iran is based in Tijuana, Mexico, across the US border, reportedly due to restrictions on the team’s extended presence inside the United States. This requires the squad to make cross-border journeys for every match played on US soil.
What did Mehdi Taremi say about Iran’s World Cup situation?
Striker Mehdi Taremi called the situation a ‘disaster,’ saying it was causing significant stress to players and staff. He said the conditions were ‘so bad’ and were affecting the team’s performance.
Did FIFA respond to Iran’s complaints?
FIFA president Gianni Infantino visited the Iran dressing room after the New Zealand match and held discussions with the team. However, no details of what was discussed have been made public.
When is Iran’s next match at the 2026 World Cup?
Iran face Belgium in their second Group G match on Sunday at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. The team will need to travel back to Tijuana and then return to Los Angeles for the fixture, continuing the cross-border commute pattern.
