Iran's captain Mehdi Taremi, midfielder Mohammad Mohebi, and coach Amir Ghalenoei complained to FIFA president Gianni Infantino after being forced to leave Los Angeles immediately following Monday's 2-2 draw with New Zealand. The team had expected to stay overnight for recovery before returning to their camp in Tijuana.
'Everything is like disaster for us,' Taremi said. Coach Ghalenoei described Iran as 'the most oppressed' team at the tournament. 'After the game they said to us: You have to leave immediately. We've been asked to get on a plane and return to our camp in Tijuana and we are really troubled by that,' Ghalenoei explained.
Ghalenoei voiced further frustration about Iran's logistical constraints and isolation at the tournament. 'We were supposed to arrive two nights before the game but they didn't permit it. We were supposed to stay here tonight to recover and return tomorrow lunchtime,' he said. 'Our federation isn't here, our media isn't here, our management isn't here.'
Infantino visited Iran's dressing room after the match. Ghalenoei reiterated: 'Our team is the most oppressed one in the whole World Cup,' highlighting broader concerns about Iran's World Cup experience and FIFA's logistical decisions affecting team welfare.
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