Iran Players, Coach Criticize World Cup Organization Amidst Travel Woes; Infantino Promises Aid

Iran’s World Cup campaign is facing significant off-field challenges, with players and head coach Amir Ghalenoei publicly criticizing the tournament’s organization for creating logistical hurdles that they claim are impacting team performance. The team drew 2-2 with New Zealand in their opening match but were reportedly forced to depart their Los Angeles area venue immediately after the game for their base camp in Tijuana, Mexico.

Coach Ghalenoei, striker Mehdi Taremi, and goalscorer Mohammad Mohebbi expressed their dismay after the match at SoFi Stadium. They stated that the team had hoped to conduct a recovery session in Los Angeles the day after their fixture but were informed they had to leave immediately.

Por que importa

“We are really troubled by that. We don’t know why they are returning us, to be honest. It seems very strange. It seems others are doing the planning for us,” Ghalenoei said through an interpreter. He added, “Our team is the most oppressed one in the whole World Cup.”

The Iranian contingent also highlighted ongoing difficulties with U.S. visas, with an Iranian Football Federation official previously telling The Athletic that 11 staff members had been denied entry into the United States. “Our president isn’t here, our media isn’t here, many of our management team isn’t here,” Ghalenoei noted. Taremi bluntly described the situation as “Everything is like a disaster, actually, for us.”

Contexto

FIFA President Gianni Infantino reportedly visited the Iranian locker room after the draw and pledged to assist the team. This comes after Infantino’s earlier comments about going to great lengths to ensure Iran’s participation in the tournament.

The team’s travel schedule has been a point of contention. Players mentioned that their flight was scheduled for late Monday night, departing SoFi Stadium around 10:07 p.m., just over two hours after the match concluded. The reason for this immediate return to Tijuana remains unclear. FIFA and the White House’s World Cup Task Force have been approached for comment.

Players and Ghalenoei also lamented the late arrival in Los Angeles, as the team traveled to the city the day before the match, arriving on the afternoon of Sunday, June 14. “We get tired,” Mohebbi stated. “This kind of thing I think is a little bit unfair, you know?”

Taremi elaborated on the impact of the forced late departure. “It’s not good for us, you know? It’s not good for the football, because in a World Cup, you have to prepare good for the next game, because it is a lot of stress for the players and staff and everyone. But we don’t have that support, and I think FIFA have to help us more than this.”

While Taremi avoided explicitly naming the U.S. government as the source of the travel issues, he hinted at external pressures affecting their preparations. Regarding Infantino’s visit, Taremi said, “For sure, he wants to try to help us, but it’s about other things too. You know, everyone knows. (I don’t) need to mention that, because you know where we are.” Mohebbi concluded, “This is not fair. … This is a tough atmosphere for us.”

The team’s coach emphasized their determination despite the adversities. “They are making the situation more and more difficult, more hurdles, but we are not gonna stop from doing our best,” Ghalenoei said. Taremi added, “It’s a bad situation, and we’re just tired of this situation, because from two months ago, last month, we have a lot of problems, you know? And it’s so bad, and it affects our team.”

Key facts
| Detail | Information |
|—|—|
| Match | Iran 2-2 New Zealand |
| Criticism | Travel restrictions, immediate departure after match |
| Reported involvement | FIFA President Gianni Infantino |
| Team base camp | Tijuana, Mexico |
| Other issues | Visa denials for staff |

This development underscores the complex geopolitical and logistical challenges that can impact international sporting events, directly affecting athlete performance and team morale. For fans following the World Cup, these organizational issues highlight the hurdles teams face beyond the pitch.

Source: The Athletic, https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7365007/2026/06/16/iran-world-cup-organization-infantino/

Datos clave