Iran drew 2-2 with New Zealand in their first World Cup match, but was immediately ordered to leave by the United States.
Iranian players and staff have slammed their treatment at the World Cup in the United States after they were ordered to leave the country “with immediate effect” after a 2-2 draw with New Zealand. Iran head coach Amir Ghalenoei has revealed that his team did not have time to recover after the thrilling encounter at Los Angeles Stadium, insisting that they are being forced to return to their training base in Mexico amid ongoing political tensions.
Iranian stars Mehdi Taremi and Mohammad Mohebi slam their treatment at the US World Cup (Image: The Sporting Tribune)
The team’s eligibility for the tournament was in serious doubt due to President Donald Trump’s ongoing war with the United States, but as of this week a new peace deal has been agreed between the two countries. Iran was forced to move its training base from Tucson, Arizona, to Tijuana, Mexico on the eve of the World Cup, and the US president even warned that it would not be safe for players to travel to this summer’s tournament.
Eleven members of the traveling party were denied visas to enter the United States and were required to leave the country just hours after the final whistle as part of their agreement to play in the tournament.
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“They didn’t even give us time to recover,” Galenoei said through an interpreter after the draw with New Zealand. “After today’s game they told us, ‘You have to leave immediately.’
“It’s very important for us to have time to recover, but we’re being asked to get on a plane and go back to our camp in Tijuana, and that really bothers us. They’re delaying our arrival and forcing us to go home early without having time to recover.”
“They’re making things more and more difficult and giving us more hurdles, but that’s not going to stop us from doing our best. That’s why I think we’re the most oppressed team in the World Cup.”
Iran head coach Amir Galenoi slammed their treatment at the World Cup. (Image: (Photo by Matt McNulty – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images))
It was a sentiment echoed by Iranian striker Mehdi Taremi, who slammed his country’s treatment in the tournament. “FIFA said we have to go to prepare. As I said, I should recover tomorrow morning, then fly to Tijuana and then come back to LA.”
“But now we have to go back. It’s between the federation and FIFA, so we don’t know who’s there. And we don’t have the media, we don’t have the federation president, we don’t have the vice president, we don’t have any staff, so we have to go back. There’s no communication with FIFA or the players.”
“As you can see, for example, our analysts are here doing media work. In fact, everything is a disaster for us. It’s not right for us, but we won’t accept excuses, we’re just looking forward, we’re hopeful for the next two games, we’ll do our best for the people and bring joy to our supporters.”
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When further asked who told Iran he had to leave, Taremi claimed it was before the match, but he did not know who specifically told him he had to leave immediately. He called the situation a “disaster” and revealed that FIFA president Gianni Infantino had visited the team’s dressing room.
“But it’s about other things as well,” he continued. “You know, everybody knows that. There’s no need to mention it, because, you know, that’s where we are.”
Coach Mohammad Mohebi also spoke out about his team’s preparations after the match, calling the treatment of his team “unfair”. “We need fair competition, right?” he said.
“I think I was supposed to come here two days before the game, but I came yesterday and arrived in the afternoon. I went to train and I was tired, you know?”
“I think we were supposed to be here two days before the game, but something like this is unfair.”
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