Iran forced to leave USA immediately after World Cup draw as players condemn 'disastrous' conditions

Iran’s players and staff have spoken out against what they describe as deeply unfair treatment at the 2026 World Cup, after being ordered to leave the United States immediately following their 2-2 draw with New Zealand at the Los Angeles Stadium.

Head coach Amir Ghalenoei revealed through an interpreter that his squad was given no time to recover after the match, forced instead to board a plane back to their training base in Tijuana, Mexico. “After the game today, they said to us, ‘You have to leave immediately,’” Ghalenoei said. “It’s very important for us to have time for recovery, but we are asked to get on a plane and return to our camp in Tijuana, and we are really troubled by that. They delayed our arrivals, and they are forcing us to go back early without time for recovery.”

The restrictions stem from the political tension between Iran and the United States under President Donald Trump, who had previously warned that it would not be safe for Iranian players to travel to the tournament. Eleven members of Iran’s travelling party were denied US visas entirely, and as a condition of their participation, the squad must depart within hours of the final whistle in each of their games.

Iran had already been forced to relocate their pre-tournament training base from Tucson, Arizona to Tijuana, Mexico on the eve of the competition — a disruption Ghalenoei acknowledged but refused to use as an excuse. “They are making the situation more and more difficult, facing us with more hurdles, but we’re not going to let that stop us from doing our best. That’s why I think we are the most oppressed team in the World Cup.”

StrikerMehdi Taremi echoed those frustrations, describing the logistical chaos surrounding the squad’s operations. Several staff members, including analysts, have been denied entry to the US, leaving players without key support personnel. “Everything is a disaster, actually, for us,” Taremi said. “It’s not the right thing for us, but we don’t follow the excuse — we’re just looking forward, we’re having hope for the next two games, and we will do our best for our people.”

Despite the turmoil off the pitch, Iran salvaged a point against New Zealand in a 2-2 thriller, and Taremi insisted the squad remains focused on their remaining group-stage fixtures.