WORLD CUP DRAMA: Iran team evicted from US immediately after New Zealand clash as coach blasts FIFA
The ongoing World Cup has been hit by a wave of political and logistical controversy after the Iranian national football team, Team Melli, was forced to leave Los Angeles immediately following their opening match against New Zealand.
The abrupt relocation back to their base camp in Mexico has sparked outrage from Iran’s head coach, Amir Ghalenoei, who publicly accused authorities and football’s governing body, FIFA, of unfair treatment.
Iran’s journey to this summer’s expanded 48-team tournament has been plagued by instability. Heightened conflict in the Middle East initially cast doubts over the country’s participation.
Since arriving for the tournament, the team has faced a barrage of administrative hurdles.
First, severe visa complications disrupted the team’s travel. Then the United States refused to host the team’s training camp, forcing them to set up base across the border in Tijuana, Mexico. FIFA also rejected Iran’s formal request to move their three Group H matches entirely to Mexico, citing “logistical issues.”
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On Monday, Iran kicked off their campaign on the pitch, fighting out a thrilling 2-2 draw against New Zealand at the SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Los Angeles. However, the drama off the pitch quickly overshadowed the result.
Forced Out: “We are the most oppressed team”
Team Melli had initially planned to remain in California overnight for vital post-match recovery, intending to fly back to Tijuana on Tuesday afternoon. Those plans were abruptly cancelled by authorities immediately after the final whistle.
An incensed Amir Ghalenoei did not hold back during his post-match press conference, slamming the decision to evict his squad from US soil.
“After the game today they said to us, ‘You have to leave immediately,’” Ghalenoei revealed. “Whereas today it’s very important for us to have recovery. We’ve been asked to get on a plane and return to our camp in Tijuana and we are really troubled by that. They are forcing us to go back early. They are making the situation more and more difficult—more hurdles—but we’re not going to let that stop us from doing our best.”
The manager further claimed that his team is being unfairly targeted and isolated on the world stage.
“We don’t know why they’re returning us, to be honest. I think it’s very strange. It seems like others are doing the planning for us. We were supposed to arrive two nights before the game but they didn’t permit it.
“I think our team is the most oppressed one in the whole World Cup. Our federation isn’t here, our media isn’t here, our management isn’t here.”
Infantino offers words of solidarity
Despite the hostility from local hosts, FIFA President Gianni Infantino reportedly visited the Iranian squad to offer high praise and emotional support, acknowledging the immense pressure the players are under.
Addressing the team, Infantino said “You showed to your families, friends, to your people, to the world, that you’re in the World Cup, that you perform and you have two more games to go. In these two games, you will make again everyone in the world proud of what you do.”
The FIFA boss acknowledged the geopolitical weight carrying on the players’ shoulders, adding:
“It is also a big, big emotion. I know what you go through, I understand, but you are stronger than everything. You send a strong message to the entire world. Like tonight, you united the whole stadium behind Team Melli… You are writing history, the whole world is watching you. Continue to play with your heart.”
With two group-stage matches remaining, Iran must now navigate the rest of their World Cup campaign from their forced exile in Mexico, commuting across the border for matchdays.
