IRANIAN TEAM LAMENTS 'OPPRESSION' AFTER US EXIT ORDER AMID WORLD CUP

Iran's national football team has complained of difficult treatment at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after being ordered to leave the United States immediately following their opening Group G match against New Zealand.

The politically charged encounter at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, ended in a 2-2 draw on Monday night, but the result was quickly overshadowed by concerns raised by Iran's coaching staff and players over travel restrictions, visa challenges and logistical disruptions surrounding their participation in the tournament.

Iran head coach Amir Ghalenoei said the team had expected to remain in Los Angeles overnight to recover before returning to its training base in Tijuana, Mexico. However, he revealed that the squad was instructed to leave shortly after the final whistle.

“After the game today they said to us, ‘You have to leave immediately,’” Ghalenoei said.

“Whereas today it’s very important for us to have recovery.

“We’ve been asked to get on a plane and return to our camp in Tijuana and we are really troubled by that. 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."

The coach said he could not understand the reason behind the decision, insisting that the team's travel plans had already been agreed upon.

“We don’t know why they’re returning us, to be honest. I think it’s very strange," he said.

"It seems like others are doing the planning for us. We were supposed to arrive two nights before the game but they didn’t permit [it]. We were supposed to stay here tonight to recover and return tomorrow lunchtime."

Ghalenoei went further, describing Iran as one of the most disadvantaged teams at the tournament.

“I think our team is the most oppressed one in the whole World Cup," he added. "Our federation isn’t here, our media isn’t here, our management isn’t here.”

The Iranian squad has faced significant challenges ahead of the World Cup amid tensions between Tehran and Washington. The team relocated its base camp from the United States to Tijuana, Mexico, after visa uncertainties and security concerns complicated preparations.

According to team captain Mehdi Taremi, players endured lengthy travel procedures and security checks while moving between Mexico and California.

“We have to leave Los Angeles right now, and it’s not good for us,” Taremi said after the match.

“I think FIFA have to help us more than this. … Everything is like a disaster, actually, for us.”

The striker also argued that the disruptions had negatively affected the team's ability to prepare properly.

“It’s not good for us. I think it’s not good for football,” he said. “I think FIFA have to help us more than this.”

The coach noted that several players suffered cramps during the match, which he linked to fatigue caused by travel complications and limited preparation time.

“Before the game, I said we haven’t had time to adjust because of the travel,” Ghalenoei said.

“Many of our players, they had cramps, and that’s why we had to substitute them. So it wasn’t for technical reasons that we made substitutions. It was because of the injury and because of the cramp."

Despite the off-field difficulties, Iran fought back twice to secure a draw against New Zealand. Goals from Ramin Rezaeian and Mohammad Mohebi cancelled out a brace from New Zealand's Elijah Just in front of a largely pro-Iranian crowd.

The atmosphere around the match reflected the wider political tensions surrounding Iran's participation. While many supporters inside the stadium backed Team Melli, hundreds of anti-regime protesters gathered outside, highlighting divisions within the Iranian diaspora.

After the game, FIFA President Gianni Infantino visited Iran's dressing room and offered words of encouragement to the players.

“You showed to your families, friends, to your people, to the world, that you’re in the World Cup, that you perform and you have two more games to go,” Infantino told the squad.

“In these two games, you will make again everyone in the world proud of what you do. Thank you for being here.

“It is also a big, big emotion. I know what you go through, I understand, but you are stronger than everything. You send a strong message to the entire world. Like tonight you united the whole stadium here, you united the whole stadium behind you, behind Team Melli. You are sending such a strong message to the world.

“Let me say one more thing: this is just the beginning of the World Cup. You are writing history, the whole world is watching you. Continue to play with your heart, for your people, your families, for your fans and for everyone in the world that is falling in love with Team Melli. You are stronger than everything.”

Iran now returns to Mexico ahead of its remaining Group G fixtures against Belgium and Egypt, with the team hoping to overcome both on-field and off-field obstacles as it seeks a place in the knockout stages.