Iran forced – Mehdi Taremi and coach Amir Ghalenoei say Iran were told to leave Los Angeles immediately after their 2-2 draw with New Zealand at SoFi Stadium, claiming the treatment has been oppressive amid war-linked travel upheaval.
The day after Iran started their World Cup campaign with a 2-2 draw against New Zealand at SoFi Stadium, the mood in the dressing room shifted fast—away from football and straight to the question of whether they were allowed to stay in Los Angeles long enough to recover.
Amid what they described as “oppressive” and “disastrous” treatment in the United States. striker Mehdi Taremi pleaded for FIFA to step in. After FIFA president Gianni Infantino visited the Iran dressing room following Monday night’s game. minutes later Taremi and head coach Amir Ghalenoei said Iran were effectively being pushed out of the country right away—immediately after their opening match.
“This is like disaster actually for us,” Taremi said. “We still have some problems because we are supposed to be training tomorrow morning – recovery – then leave for Tijuana. But we have to leave Los Angeles right now, and it’s not good for us. It’s not good for the football. because in World Cup. you have to prepare good for the next game. because it is a lot of stress for the players and the staff and everyone. But we don’t have that support and I think FIFA have to help us more than this.”.
Taremi said the disruption came with a sharp sense of unfairness. He added that their players asked Infantino about their situation. and that the FIFA president told them he wanted to help. “He just wants to help us,” Taremi said. “He said: ‘It’s the beginning of the World Cup now, and he will help us…’ we believe everything.”.
Head coach Amir Ghalenoei went further, calling Iran the most affected side in the tournament. “Our team is the most oppressed one in the whole World Cup,” he said.
Teammate Mohammad Mohebi also argued their treatment was not fair. while Ghalenoei insisted the decision-making around their travel has been happening elsewhere. “They said we had to leave immediately,” he said. “It’s very important for us to have time for recovery and yet we were asked to return to Tijuana and we are really troubled by that… we do not know why they are returning us. I think it’s very strange.”.
Ghalenoei said the plan they had been working toward was different. “It seems like others are doing the planning for us. decisions made elsewhere. we were supposed [to arrive] two nights before the game and we were not permitted. ” he said. “We were supposed to stay tonight and return tomorrow lunchtime but I have no idea why and they haven’t told [us]… our team is the most oppressed one in the whole World Cup.”.
The tension sits on top of months of uncertainty around Iran’s presence at the World Cup. Since war broke out between Iran and the United States in February. the question of whether they would participate—and under what conditions—hung over everything. Donald Trump warned Iran not to come. telling them it was for their ‘own life and safety.’ Iran later moved its base from Arizona to Mexico. and nearly a dozen members of its delegation were denied visas.
Iran’s World Cup opener against New Zealand came only after the team finally kickstarted its campaign following that uncertainty. Iran jetted into Los Angeles the afternoon before Monday’s game, and Taremi suggested border delays may have played a role in their preparation schedule.
“We [should] come here two days before the game,” Mohebi insisted. “Yesterday we came, we started the trip in the morning and we arrive in the afternoon. Then we go to the training and we get tired. I think we’re supposed to come here two days before the game. This kind of thing is not a little bit fair. We need to get fair competition.”.
Later, when Taremi was asked if he had a message for President Trump, he redirected the focus back to football. “I’m here to play football, my friend,” he said. “We are tired to talk about [the problems]. And if they help us, we are much appreciated about that… if no one helps us, it doesn’t matter. We just stay back to back, behind each other and we try our best to win both the next games.”.
Iran are due to return to the USA to face Belgium in Los Angeles on Sunday before taking on Egypt in Seattle.
Iran World Cup treatment USA forced to leave SoFi Stadium Mehdi Taremi Amir Ghalenoei Gianni Infantino New Zealand 2-2 Belgium Egypt Seattle
So they just kicked Iran out right after the match? That’s wild.
I’m confused how a 2-2 draw turns into like… being forced to leave LA immediately. Maybe it was some visa thing or whatever. FIFA should’ve handled the paperwork before they got there.
Gianni Infantino “visited the dressing room” and then they still had to leave? Sounds like PR and then back to the same oppressive thing. Also the word “Tijuana” like… why would they be going there if they’re in LA? Doesn’t make sense to me.
This is probably just politics like always. I saw something earlier like Iran couldn’t even stay because of the war linked travel upheaval, so I’m not surprised. FIFA says they’ll help but then the players are stressed and can’t recover… seems like they set them up to fail honestly.