Iran criticizes FIFA over post-match travel after New Zealand draw

Iran captain Mehdi Taremi, midfielder Mohammad Mohebi and head coach Amir Ghalenoei criticized FIFA after being ordered to leave Los Angeles immediately following Monday's 2-2 draw with New Zealand at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Speaking after the Group G opener, Taremi described the situation as a "disaster" and said FIFA president Gianni Infantino visited the dressing room, where players and staff voiced their concerns directly.

Ghalenoei said Iran had become "the most oppressed" team at the tournament because of travel arrangements that have repeatedly disrupted their preparations.

"After the game today they said to us: 'You have to leave immediately,' whereas it's very important for us to have recovery," Ghalenoei said. "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 making the situation more and more difficult, more hurdles, but we're not going to let that stop us from doing our best."

Iran had originally planned to use Tucson, Arizona, as its training base, but moved operations to Tijuana, Mexico, over immigration concerns before the tournament. Those concerns proved justified after 15 members of the team's support staff were initially denied visas to enter the US, where all of Iran's group-stage matches are being played. The number was later reduced to 11 after several visas were approved.

The delegation that arrived in Los Angeles was missing both media officers, several analysts and federation president Mehdi Taj.

Taremi also criticized the team's travel schedule, saying a short trip from Tijuana to Los Angeles took five hours, with immigration procedures understood to be the main cause of the delay.

"In the World Cup, you have to prepare well for the next game, which is a lot of stress for the players and the staff and everyone. But we don't have that support and FIFA have to help us more than this," Taremi noted.

Mohebi revealed the schedule would increase physical strain on the squad.

"Yesterday we came, started the trip in the morning, and we arrive in the afternoon. We directly go to train and we get tired. This kind of deal is not fair," he said. "We're going to get fatigued – hamstring, lower back, glutes."

Despite the complaints, Ghalenoei praised co-host Mexico for its hospitality, adding residents in Tijuana had made the team feel welcome.

Infantino later shared a message of encouragement with the squad, telling the players they had united supporters in the stadium and inspired people around the world.

"This is just the beginning of the World Cup," Infantino said. "You are writing history, the whole world is watching you. Continue to play with your heart for your people, your families and your fans."