Iran coach calls team 'most oppressed' at World Cup after forced departure from US
Iran's football coach Amir Ghalenoei complained that his team was forced to leave the US immediately after their opening match against New Zealand, disrupting recovery, while protests and fan clashes occurred outside the stadium. FIFA President Infantino visited the dressing room to praise the players.
Iran national football team head coach Amir Ghalenoei said his squad is "perhaps the most oppressed in the World Cup" after they were ordered to depart the United States just hours after a 2-2 draw with New Zealand on Monday night. Speaking through an interpreter, Ghalenoei stated they were not given time to recover and were told to leave immediately without explanation. The team had expected to stay overnight in California for standard post-match recovery.
Captain Mehdi Taremi described the situation as a "disaster," noting that on Sunday the team endured five hours of travel and security checks for a normally short trip from Tijuana to Los Angeles. Iran's World Cup cycle has been turbulent since the US and Israel began a war against Iran on February 28. The team decided to compete after FIFA rejected its request to move group matches out of the US.
Outside the stadium in Inglewood, several hundred Iranian Americans protested, waving pre-revolutionary lion-and-sun flags and calling for change in Tehran. Protesters argued the team represents the regime, while fans insisted on separating football from politics. One protester snatched an Iranian flag from a fan and stomped on it. Security and sheriff's deputies broke up disputes. Some protesters entered the stadium to be a voice for Iranians inside the country. A section of fans booed the national anthem but cheered goals.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino visited Iran's dressing room after the match, praising the players as "stronger and greater" than the issues they face. Ghalenoei thanked FIFA but called Iran the tournament's "most underdog team," citing the inability to stay in Los Angeles for recovery and visa rejections for federation officials. Taremi emphasized the team's goal is to pursue peace and happiness.
Iranian media reported defender Mehdi Torabi received a single-entry visa that expired upon leaving the US. The federation is working to secure a new visa before Iran's next match against Belgium next Sunday.
