Iran coach says squad were forced to leave US minutes after World Cup draw with New Zealand

Iran’s coaching staff and players have accused US authorities of ordering the squad out of Los Angeles within minutes of their 2-2 World Cup Group draw with New Zealand, with coach Amir Ghalenoei declaring his side the “most oppressed” team at the tournament.

The fallout from the match on Thursday deepened long-running tensions between Iran and the United States that have defined Iran’s build-up to the finals. The Trump administration restricted the squad to matchday-only entry into the country, forcing them to base themselves in Tijuana, Mexico, and commute across the border for games.

“They didn’t even give us time to recover after the game today,” Ghalenoei said in post-match comments. “They said we had to leave immediately. It’s very important for us to have time for recovery and yet we were asked to return to Tijuana and we are really troubled by that.”

The coach went further, suggesting the team had lost control of its own schedule. “It seems like others are doing the planning for us, decisions are made elsewhere,” he said. “We were supposed to arrive two nights before the game and we were not permitted. We were supposed to stay tonight and return tomorrow lunchtime but I have no idea why, and they haven’t told us.”

Ghalenoei also noted the absence of federation officials, media, and parts of his technical staff, saying the team had been stripped of support structures that other nations take for granted at a World Cup.

Captain Mehdi Taremi echoed those frustrations, calling the situation a “disaster” and warning it would affect Iran’s preparation for their remaining group games. “It is a lot of stress for the players and the staff and everyone,” Taremi said. “We don’t have that support and I think Fifa have to help us more than this.”

Taremi revealed that Fifa president Gianni Infantino visited the dressing room after the match, telling the players “you are stronger than everything” and that they were “writing history”. Footage posted on X showed Infantino addressing the squad directly. He is also understood to have pledged to work on securing visas for more members of the Iranian delegation — many of whom were unable to travel to the United States — ahead of the team’s remaining group fixtures.

Fifa was approached for comment on the restrictions governing Iran’s schedule. Despite the off-field turbulence, Iran earned a point on the night, coming from behind to draw 2-2 against New Zealand in front of a vocal Iranian-American crowd.