Iran labeled 'most repressed team' at World Cup after forced US exit
Iran manager Amir Ghalenoei slammed tournament organizers after his squad was forced to leave the United States immediately following their 2-2 draw with New Zealand.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 4.0 / Author: Mehdi Bolourian
The Iranian national team faced a chaotic post-match environment in Los Angeles, as administrative orders forced them to abandon recovery plans and leave the United States immediately following their 2-2 draw with New Zealand.
Despite a resilient performance that saw Iran fight back twice, the squad was forced to return to their security base in Tijuana due to abruptly adjusted flight schedules. The disruption drew sharp criticism from manager Amir Ghalenoei, who highlighted the physical and mental toll on his players.
We spent so much time in the air commuting, they didn't even give us time to recover. After the game today, they said to us you have to leave immediately. I think perhaps our team is the most repressed team in the whole World Cup. Amir Ghalenoei
Captain Mehdi Taremi expressed frustration regarding the lack of support, confirming that the team discussed these logistical challenges with FIFA president Gianni Infantino post-match. Taremi suggested that the geopolitical climate surrounding the team has made their participation a significant challenge.
Looking ahead, Iran must quickly pivot their focus to a crucial encounter against European heavyweights Belgium this Sunday. With all teams in Group G currently level on one point, the technical staff faces a difficult race against time to ensure the squad is physically prepared for the next challenge.