World Cup 2026: Iran ‘most oppressed’ team says coach Amir Ghalenoei amid travel restrictions

Iran head coach Amir Ghalenoei says they are the “most oppressed” team at the World Cup after having last-minute travel restrictions imposed on them.

Speaking after his side’s 2-2 draw with New Zealand on Monday night, Ghalenoei said they had expected to stay in Los Angeles overnight and have a recovery session the following day but were told after the final whistle to immediately return to their training base in Mexico.

Iran were originally due to be based in Tucson, Arizona, for the duration of the World Cup but moved their camp to Tijuana, Mexico in late May after encountering logistical and visa issues.

“After the game they said to us ‘you have to leave immediately’,” Ghalenoei said.

“We’ve been asked to get on a plane and return to our camp in Tijuana and we are really troubled by that.

“They are forcing us to go back early. They are making the situation more and more difficult, more hurdles, but we’re not going to let that stop us from doing our best.”

Iran’s involvement in the World Cup has been plagued with uncertainty, linked to the ongoing war in the Middle East and related security concerns.

Fifa president Gianni Infantino visited the Iran team in the dressing room following the game against New Zealand as tensions continue.

Multiple “integral” members of their backroom staff were denied entry visas for the US while the Iranian Football Federation (FFIRI) called on Fifa to “uphold the principles of neutrality, fairness, and established regulations” after their allocation of tickets was revoked on the eve of the tournament.

“The Iranian National Football Team agreed to these terms,” a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson told the BBC when asked for a response to Ghalenoei’s comments.

They also cited a CBS interview with Andrew Giuliani, executive director of the White House’s World Cup task force, in which he confirmed Iran’s team will have to leave US soil on “the day that the match wraps up”.

“The president wants to make sure that we’re talking about what actually happens on the pitch. A lot of that is making sure that things are safe and secure, not just around the stadiums, but around base camps and training sites,” he added.

Iran will return to Los Angeles for their meeting with Belgium (21 June, 20:00 BST), with their final Group G game against Egypt in Seattle (27 June, 04:00).