**Iran Coach Claims Team 'Oppressed' by Travel Issues Following World Cup Draw with New Zealand**
*Inglewood, California – June 16, 2026*
Iran's head coach Amir Ghalenoei expressed significant frustration regarding the travel challenges faced by his team after their opening match of the World Cup against New Zealand, which ended in a 2-2 draw. Ghalenoei described Iran as the "most oppressed team in the whole World Cup," attributing this status to last-minute travel changes that he believes have adversely affected their performance.
The Iranian football federation had to negotiate a last-minute relocation of the team's base camp from Arizona, USA, to Tijuana, Mexico. This decision arose amidst ongoing tensions between Iran and the United States, compounded by uncertainties surrounding US visa approvals. Iran's ambassador to Mexico confirmed that the move was made to minimize the squad's presence in the US.
Ghalenoei noted that the team had initially planned to stay in Los Angeles overnight after the match to recover, but they were instead ordered to return immediately to Mexico. "We’re supposed to stay here tonight to recover and return tomorrow lunchtime, but they haven’t permitted us," Ghalenoei stated. He expressed confusion over the reasons behind the restrictions, suggesting that the team’s circumstances were particularly challenging compared to other participants in the tournament.
The U.S. State Department and FIFA did not provide immediate comments on the situation when approached for clarification.
Iranian forward Mehdi Taremi echoed Ghalenoei's sentiments, stating that the travel restrictions hindered the team's ability to perform at their best. Taremi emphasized that the rushed travel schedule, which involved moving from Tijuana to Los Angeles and back, was detrimental to their preparation. He remarked, "It’s not good for us. I think it’s not good for football. I think FIFA have to help us more than this."
The atmosphere surrounding the team's preparations was further complicated by geopolitical developments, as the match occurred just a day after a peace agreement was announced to conclude a conflict that had escalated following attacks on Iran by the U.S. and Israel earlier in the year.
Taremi also highlighted the lack of adequate time to acclimatize to their surroundings in Los Angeles, noting that they had hoped for two days to settle in before the match. "It’s so bad and it affects our team and we just want peace," he added, referencing a visit from FIFA President Gianni Infantino to the Iranian changing room the day before.
Ghalenoei acknowledged the impact of the travel disruptions on the team's performance, particularly citing muscle cramps among players as a result of fatigue from the extensive travel. He also pointed out that the absence of key backroom staff due to visa issues had forced coaches to take on additional responsibilities, further complicating their match preparations.
Despite these challenges, Ghalenoei commended his players for their resilience in securing a draw against New Zealand. The coach's remarks reflect the broader context of the World Cup, where teams face not only the physical demands of competition but also the psychological strains of external circumstances.
As the tournament progresses, it remains to be seen how Iran will navigate these challenges and whether FIFA will take any steps to address the concerns raised by Ghalenoei and his players.