Iran “Most Persecuted Team” at World Cup – Ghalenoei

Speaking after his team’s 2-2 draw with New Zealand on Monday, Ghalenoei explained they had expected to stay overnight in Los Angeles for recovery, but were told immediately after the match to return to their training base in Tijuana, Mexico. Originally scheduled to be based in Tucson, Arizona, Iran relocated to Tijuana in late May due to logistical and visa issues. “After the match they told us: you must leave immediately,” Ghalenoei said. “We were forced onto a plane back to camp. It worries us. They are making things harder, adding obstacles, but we will not let it stop us.”

Iran’s participation has been clouded by uncertainty linked to the Middle East war and security concerns. FIFA President Gianni Infantino visited the team’s locker room after the New Zealand match amid tensions. Several key staff members were denied U.S. visas, while the Iranian Football Federation accused FIFA of failing to uphold neutrality after ticket allocations were canceled. A U.S. Homeland Security spokesperson told the BBC that Iran had agreed to these conditions, citing White House World Cup task force head Andrew Giuliani, who confirmed the team must leave U.S. soil the same day matches end.

Iran will return to Los Angeles to face Belgium on June 21, before their final Group G match against Egypt in Seattle on June 27. “Honestly, we don’t know why they send us back. It’s strange. Others are planning for us,” Ghalenoei said. “We were supposed to arrive two nights before the match, but they didn’t allow it. We were supposed to stay here tonight and return tomorrow afternoon. I think our team is the most persecuted in the entire World Cup. Our federation isn’t here, our media isn’t here, our management isn’t here.”

Captain Mehdi Taremi echoed his coach, calling the situation a “disaster.” While praising Infantino for listening to their concerns, he urged FIFA to do more: “This is not good for us, not good for football. At the World Cup you must prepare properly for the next game. It’s huge pressure on players and staff. We don’t have that support, and FIFA should help us more.”