The 2026 World Cup was always going to be a politically charged tournament, but nobody expected it to turn into a logistical nightmare for one team before the first whistle even settled. Iran’s manager, Amir Ghalenoei, didn’t hold back after his team clawed out a 2-2 draw against New Zealand on Monday, accusing FIFA and U.S. officials of making life miserable for his squad.
The circumstances surrounding Iran’s participation are unlike any other. Since February 2026, the U.S. and Iran have been engaged in active military conflict, forcing Iran’s delegation to set up a base camp in Tijuana, Mexico, rather than inside the United States. That alone has turned routine travel into a grueling ordeal. According to reports from ESPN’s Jason Le Miere, the team’s schedule was abruptly shuffled — they were told to fly into the U.S. on Sunday instead of their planned earlier arrival, and now they’re being forced to leave again on Tuesday instead of Wednesday.
“We spent so much time in the air commuting, they didn’t even give us time to recover,” Ghalenoei said through an interpreter after the game. “After the game today, they said to us, ‘You have to leave immediately.’ It’s very important for us to have time for recovery, but we’ve been told to return to our camp in Tijuana, and we are really troubled by that. I think perhaps our team is the most oppressed team in the whole World Cup.”
FIFA’s Role Under Scrutiny
Ghalenoei didn’t specify who exactly issued the order for his team to pack up and go. But star forward Mehdi Taremi offered a telling detail: FIFA president Gianni Infantino stopped by the locker room after the match. Taremi’s tone suggested the visit wasn’t just a formality — it was a signal that something bigger was at play.
“For sure, he wants to try to help us, but it’s about other things, too. Everyone knows it,” Taremi said. “I don’t need to mention that because you know where we are. I think FIFA has to help us more than this. Let’s see what happens in the future.”
The implication is clear: diplomatic tensions are bleeding into tournament operations, and the governing body may not be doing enough to insulate Iran’s squad from the fallout.
A Silver Lining in the Stands
Despite the off-field chaos, Iran managed to secure a valuable point in a match played in front of a heavily pro-Iranian crowd at SoFi Stadium. The Los Angeles area is home to the largest Iranian diaspora outside of Iran itself, and the fans made their presence felt.
“There were many Iranians here. They believe in different political affiliations, different beliefs, but they all wholeheartedly encouraged us, and I think that’s a victory for all of us,” Ghalenoei said.
That unity may be tested next Sunday, when Iran returns to Inglewood for a Group Stage clash against Belgium. Belgium opened their tournament with a draw against Egypt, setting up a critical match for both sides. For Iran, though, the biggest battle might still be getting to the stadium on time — and in one piece.
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