Iran ‘most oppressed’ team in tournament, head coach says

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Fifa to “uphold the principles of neutrality, fairness, and established regulations” after their allocation of tickets was revoked on the eve of the tournament.

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).

“We don’t know why they’re returning us, to be honest. I think it’s very strange. It seems like other are doing the planning for us,” Ghalenoei added.

“We were supposed to arrive two nights before the game but they didn’t permit [it]. We were supposed to stay here tonight to recover and return tomorrow lunchtime.

“I think our team is the most oppressed one in the whole World Cup. Our federation isn’t here, our media isn’t here, our management isn’t here.”

Iran captain Mehdi Taremi echoed his coach’s thoughts, labelling his side’s situation a “disaster”.

Although he praised Fifa’s Infantino for visiting the team dressing room and allowing them to express their concerns, he urged the governing body to do more to support the national side.

“It’s not good for us. 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,” said Taremi.

“But we don’t have that support, and I think Fifa have to help us more than this.”