Iran drew 2-2 with New Zealand in their Group G opener on June 16, but post-match focus shifted to logistical frustrations. Head coach Amir Ghalenoei stated: "Our team is the most oppressed one in the whole World Cup. The federation is absent here. Our media isn't here. Our management team, many of them aren't here."
Ghalenoei criticized the forced departure from Los Angeles immediately after the match: "We've spent so much time commuting in the air. They didn't even give us time to recover after the game today. It's very important for us to have time for recovery and yet we were asked to return to Tijuana."
Captain Mehdi Taremi described the treatment as a "disaster." FIFA president Gianni Infantino visited the Iranian dressing room and told players: "You are stronger than everything. You are writing history, the whole world is watching you." Infantino reportedly offered to secure additional visas for Iranian delegation members for remaining group matches.
Iran's logistical disruptions and limited recovery time may affect their Group G remaining fixtures, where team morale and physical freshness are critical performance factors.