Iran's Coach Voices Concerns Over Travel Restrictions at FIFA World Cup

Iran's head coach Amir Ghalenoei has voiced his frustrations regarding the lack of support from fellow managers over the travel restrictions imposed by US authorities. As the Iranian team prepares for their crucial World Cup match against Belgium, Ghalenoei highlights the logistical challenges they face, which hinder their ability to compete on equal footing. He calls for solidarity among coaches and expresses hope for improved conditions ahead of their next match. The situation reflects broader geopolitical tensions impacting international sports, with players and coaches alike feeling the strain of these challenges.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 21, 2026, 20:23 IST

Iran's Coach Raises Concerns Ahead of World Cup Match

Amir Ghalenoei, the head coach of Iran's national football team, has openly criticized the lack of support from fellow coaches regarding the difficulties his team is facing due to travel restrictions imposed by US authorities. He expressed his disappointment during a press conference on Saturday, just before Iran's important Group G match against Belgium. Ghalenoei emphasized that his team is focused on football, not politics, and questioned why other coaches have not spoken out about their situation.

“I have posed a question to the other 47 coaches, but none have replied,” he stated. “We are here for football, not politics. Our complaints are about how we have been treated. I haven’t heard from other coaches, likely because they are focused on their own teams. However, if I had witnessed another team facing our challenges, I would have spoken up.”

Iran's participation in the World Cup has been complicated by the ongoing conflict between Iran and the United States, which has led to strict travel limitations. The Iranian team has been training in Tijuana, Mexico, and can only enter the US shortly before their matches, returning immediately after. This arrangement has created significant logistical hurdles, preventing the team from preparing adequately compared to their competitors.

Ghalenoei mentioned that a request to travel to Los Angeles for additional training was denied, forcing the team to adjust their plans and shorten their practice time. “We needed 24 hours in Los Angeles, but we were given less than 16 hours, which disrupted our training,” he explained. “These limitations have made things very challenging for us.”

'Affecting Us Mentally'

The coach acknowledged FIFA president Gianni Infantino's attempts to alleviate the situation by reaching out to US officials for earlier travel clearance, but those efforts were unsuccessful. “They informed us that they couldn’t assist,” Ghalenoei said. “This situation is mentally taxing, especially since I want to concentrate on technical aspects.”

Despite these ongoing challenges, Ghalenoei remains optimistic that conditions will improve before Iran's final group-stage match against Egypt in Seattle next week. He noted that FIFA continues to engage with US authorities regarding travel arrangements, hoping for better access ahead of the game.

In addition to logistical issues, Ghalenoei conveyed a heartfelt message to supporters in Iran, expressing gratitude for their unwavering support during these turbulent times. “I am very pleased that the Iranian nation stands behind us,” he remarked. “We play for our martyrs in Iran.”

Iran midfielder Saeid Ezatolahi shared his coach's sentiments, stating that the ongoing travel and restrictions have significantly impacted their preparation compared to other teams. Belgium defender Thomas Meunier also expressed sympathy for Iran's situation, acknowledging that geopolitical tensions inevitably influence international sports and recognizing that some Iranian players may have family members affected by the conflict.