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Coach Amir Ghalenoei says the team had no time to recover after the 2-2 draw with New Zealand and was forced to return to Mexico...
Iran's national football team was ordered to leave the United States immediately after the end of the match against New Zealand in the 2026 World Cup and return to Mexico, coach Amir Ghalenoei said.
According to him, the team had planned to stay overnight in California to recover after the match, but immediately after the match ended the players were notified that they had to return to Tijuana, about 225 kilometers away.
"They didn't even give us time to recover," Ghalenoei told reporters through a translator, without specifying who gave the order. "As soon as the match ended, they told us: 'You have to leave immediately.'"
The 62-year-old coach stressed that recovery after such a match is essential for footballers, but the team was forced to travel immediately to Tijuana.
Iran's participation in this year's World Cup had long been uncertain due to the country's conflict with Israel and the United States. However, Tehran decided to participate in the tournament even after FIFA rejected a request to hold three group stage matches outside American territory.
"Honestly, we don't know why they're sending us back to Mexico," said Ghalenoei. "It's very strange. It seems like others are planning our trip. According to our schedule, we were supposed to arrive in the US two nights before the game and stay one night after it to recover. I think our team is one of the most limited in this World Cup."
Iran captain Mehdi Taremi said the team was delayed by more than five hours in departing Tijuana due to extensive security checks. As a result, the delegation arrived late for a scheduled pre-match press conference in Los Angeles.
Taremi and Ghalenoei also criticized the absence of several important Iranian federation officials, technical staff, and press office, who failed to enter the US, making the team's preparations difficult.
“We have to leave Los Angeles immediately and this is not good for us,” Taremi said about an hour after the game. “I think FIFA should help us more.”
He added that the Iranian national team's objective in the World Cup is "to bring joy to all Iranians, wherever they are in the world."
Ghalenoei said that several players suffered cramps during the match and linked these problems to the lack of sufficient time for preparation, as a result of the bureaucratic and diplomatic obstacles the team has faced.
Iran's next two matches will also take place in the US: Sunday against Belgium in Inglewood, California, and next week against Egypt in Seattle.
Monday's match between Iran and New Zealand ended in a 2-2 draw and took place amid strong protests by Iranian fans against the government in Tehran.
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