Iran coach says group ‘oppressed’ by journey chaos after World Cup NZ draw | World Cup 2026 News

Amir Ghalenoei made the remark after Iran had been compelled to depart the US for his or her Mexico base after their opening match.

Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei stated on Monday that his group had been being “oppressed” as a consequence of ⁠last-minute journey modifications stemming ⁠from tensions between Iran and the United States, including the disruption had affected their efficiency after a 2-2 draw with New Zealand.

The Iranian soccer federation had negotiated a late ⁠transfer of the group’s base camp from Arizona within the US to Tijuana, Mexico amid uncertainty over US visas and a rising sense that the squad’s presence within the US ought to be saved to a minimal, ⁠Iran’s ambassador to Mexico has advised Reuters.

Ghalenoei, 62, stated they’d suffered additional disruption, with Iran anticipating to stay in Los Angeles in a single day on Monday however as a substitute being required to return instantly to Mexico.

“We’re supposed to stay here tonight to recover and return tomorrow lunchtime, but they haven’t permitted us,” Ghalenoei stated. “To be honest, ‌I have no idea why. I think perhaps our team is the most oppressed one in the whole World Cup.”

He didn’t say who had imposed the restriction.

The US State Department didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.

FIFA didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.

‘FIFA have to help us’

The run-up to the match had been certainly one of drama away from the pitch, with the group taking part in on US soil barely 24 hours after a peace deal was introduced to finish ⁠the conflict that started when the US and Israel attacked Iran on ⁠February 28.

Iran ahead Mehdi Taremi stated the restrictions had been stopping his group from taking part in their finest on the event.

“It’s not good for us. I think it’s not good for football,” he stated. “I think FIFA have to help us more than this.”

Taremi described a rushed ⁠ambiance on Sunday, with journey from Tijuana to Los Angeles, then to their resort and eventually to the stadium to see the pitch. They ⁠ought to have had two days to settle in to LA, he ⁠added.

“It’s so bad and it affects our team and we just want peace,” stated Taremi, including that FIFA President Gianni Infantino had visited Iran’s altering room on Monday.

Coach Ghalenoei additionally highlighted the absence of key backroom employees, with some officers and ‌media unable to journey as a consequence of visa restrictions, leaving coaches to tackle extra tasks on the bench.

“Our management team, many of them aren’t here,” he stated.

“We had to deal with those roles ourselves.”

Despite ‌the ‌disruption, Ghalenoei praised his gamers for his or her resilience in incomes a draw, although he stated the journey calls for had taken a toll with a number of gamers struggling muscle cramps, which he linked to fatigue from the additional journey.