Iran's Frustration with FIFA and US During 2026 World Cup
Iran's Team Voices Concerns Over Treatment
The Iranian football team has expressed dissatisfaction regarding their treatment by FIFA and the United States in the context of the 2026 World Cup. Captain Mehdi Taremi, midfielder Mohammad Mohebi, and head coach Amir Ghalenoei have criticized the logistics of the tournament, suggesting they have faced unfair conditions compared to other teams. These grievances emerged following Iran's 2-2 draw against New Zealand in Los Angeles on Monday night. Instead of staying in the city for recovery, the players and support staff were instructed to leave the US immediately and return to their training base in Tijuana, Mexico, a decision that they believe will hinder their preparation for upcoming matches.
After the match, Taremi described the team's experience as dire, stating, "Everything is like disaster, actually, for us." He mentioned that FIFA president Gianni Infantino visited the team in the dressing room, where players voiced their concerns directly to him.
Challenges in Recovery
Head coach Ghalenoei was particularly vocal about the unfavorable arrangements, claiming that Iran has been subjected to terrible treatment by both the US and FIFA. He recounted, "After the game today they said to us, 'You have to leave immediately.' Where it’s crucial for us to recover, we are being forced to return to Tijuana early, which complicates our situation further. We are determined not to let this hinder our performance," he added. Ghalenoei also questioned the rationale behind their travel arrangements, stating, "We don’t know why they’re returning us, to be honest. It seems like others are making plans for us... We were supposed to arrive two nights before the game but were not allowed to do so. We were meant to stay here tonight for recovery and leave tomorrow at lunchtime."
He expressed that Iran's team is the most oppressed in the entire World Cup, noting the absence of their federation, media, and management. The logistical issues began long before the tournament, as the team initially intended to set up their training base in Tucson, Arizona, but had to move to Tijuana due to immigration and visa concerns. These worries were validated when 15 support staff members were denied entry visas to the US after arriving in Mexico. Although some approvals were later granted, 11 staff members remained unable to travel, resulting in Iran arriving in Los Angeles without key personnel, including media officers and federation president Mehdi Taj. This disruption was evident during post-match media duties, where one of the team’s analysts had to step in as a temporary media aide.
Impact on Team Performance
Taremi emphasized that these circumstances are adversely affecting the team's preparation for matches. He stated, "I think it’s not good for football. In the World Cup, you need to prepare well for the next game, which adds a lot of stress for players and staff. But we lack that support, and I believe FIFA needs to assist us more. Let’s see what happens in the future." The striker also pointed out the travel difficulties between Tijuana and Los Angeles, noting that a journey that should be short took five hours due to immigration delays. "It’s supposed to be: tomorrow morning recovery, then we fly to Tijuana, then we return to LA again, but right now we have to go back," Taremi explained.
Mohebi echoed these sentiments, warning that the constant travel could physically exhaust the players. "Yesterday we started our trip in the morning, arrived in the afternoon, and went straight to train, which tires us out. I think we should have arrived two days before the game. This arrangement is unfair... we’re going to get fatigued – hamstring, lower back, glutes..." Despite these challenges, Ghalenoei praised the hospitality of Mexico and its people, who have made the team feel welcome since their arrival in Tijuana. "The Mexican people, the Mexican government, especially the people in Tijuana, made us feel at home," he remarked.