Iran's Ghalenoei says team 'oppressed' by travel disruption after opening draw

The Iranian football federation negotiated a late move of the team's base camp from Arizona to Mexico amid uncertainty over US visas and a growing feeling that the squad's time in the United States should be kept to a minimum, Iran's ambassador to Mexico has told Reuters.

Ghalenoei, 62, stated they had faced further upheaval, with Iran expecting to stay in Los Angeles overnight on Monday but instead being obliged to return to Mexico immediately.

“We were supposed to remain here tonight to recover and go back tomorrow lunchtime, but they did not allow us,” Ghalenoei said. “Honestly, I have no idea why. I think perhaps our team is the most hard done by in the whole World Cup.”

He did not specify who had imposed the restriction.

The US State Department did not immediately reply to a request for comment.

FIFA did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The build up to the match had been full of drama away from the pitch, with the team playing on US soil barely 24 hours after a peace deal was announced to end the war that began when the US and Israel attacked Iran in February.

Iran forward Mehdi Taremi said the restrictions were stopping them from performing at their best in the tournament.

“It is not good for us. I think it is not good for football,” he said. “I believe FIFA need to support us more than this.”

Taremi described a hurried atmosphere on Sunday, with travel from Tijuana to Los Angeles, then to their hotel and finally to the stadium to see the pitch. They should have had two days to settle in Los Angeles, he added.

“It is so bad and it affects our team and we just want peace,” said Taremi, adding that FIFA President Gianni Infantino had visited the Iran dressing room on Monday.

Coach Ghalenoei also highlighted the absence of key backroom staff, with some officials and media unable to travel because of visa restrictions, leaving coaches to take on extra duties on the bench.

“Our management team, many of them are not here,” he said. “We had to handle those roles ourselves.”

Despite the disruption, Ghalenoei praised his players for their resilience in earning a draw, though he said the travel demands had taken a toll with several players suffering cramp, which he linked to fatigue from the extra travel.