Iran’s World Cup journey took a dramatic turn when, moments after a 2‑2 stalemate with New Zealand, the team was instructed to leave Los Angeles immediately, without any stated reason.
A rushed departure from California
The squad had been slated to remain in Southern California for a brief recovery period, but the abrupt directive forced them to abandon that plan and head back to their base camp in Tijuana, Mexico.
The sudden shift was compounded by logistical setbacks: the team’s original base camp in Arizona had already been relocated, and several support staff and journalists were denied U.S. visas, further limiting the group’s ability to regroup.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino had previously pledged assistance to the Iranian side before the match, yet the exact nature of that support remained vague, leaving the delegation without concrete relief.
Coach’s stark assessment
Amir Ghalenoei voiced deep frustration, describing the Iranian contingent as “the most oppressed team in the World Cup” and linking the hurried travel to the cramps that plagued several players during the game.
He emphasized that the lack of adequate recovery time, combined with arduous travel conditions, exacerbated physical strain on the players, underscoring broader concerns about athlete welfare in a tournament already marked by geopolitical tension.
Despite the setbacks, Ghalenoei affirmed that the team intends to press forward, focusing on upcoming fixtures while navigating the constraints imposed by both sporting and diplomatic pressures.