LOS ANGELES, USA – Iran’s national football team has complained of difficult travel restrictions and logistical challenges at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with head coach Amir Ghalenoei claiming the squad was ordered to leave the United States immediately after its opening match against New Zealand. Iran drew 2-2 with New Zealand in its Group G opener in Los Angeles, but post-match attention quickly shifted away from the result and toward the team’s travel arrangements. Speaking after the game, Ghalenoei said officials informed the team that it had to return immediately to its training base in Tijuana, Mexico, rather than remain in the United States for recovery and preparation.
“After today’s match, someone told us that we had to leave the United States immediately,” Ghalenoei said. “This is normally a very important period for player recovery. We were told to board a flight back to our camp in Tijuana right away.” The Iranian coach said the situation had created unnecessary obstacles for his squad. “We are very concerned about this. They are forcing us to return earlier than expected and making the situation increasingly difficult. More obstacles are being placed in our way, but we will not allow these issues to affect our performances on the pitch,” he said. “I believe our team is the most pressured and disadvantaged team at this World Cup.” Iran striker Mehdi Taremi echoed those concerns, saying the team had already endured exhausting travel before its opening match.
“We are very tired from traveling,” Taremi said. “We should have arrived two days before the match, but immigration procedures and a five-hour journey made things very difficult.” According to Taremi, the team was required to establish its training camp in Tijuana, Mexico, rather than in the United States, and was instructed to return immediately after the match against New Zealand instead of being given normal recovery time. “Other teams have more time to recover, but we are being forced to travel back immediately,” he said. Iran arrived in the United States from its training base in Mexico on Sunday before playing its opening match on Tuesday morning Thailand time. Following the game, the team was reportedly instructed to leave the country and return to Tijuana. The restrictions are believed to be linked, at least in part, to the ongoing political tensions and diplomatic issues between the United States and Iran. Despite the travel difficulties, Iran remains focused on its World Cup campaign and hopes to build on its opening-point haul as it prepares for the next match in Group G.
