Iran's coach Amir Ghalenoei said that the team was order to leave US soil and fly back to their training base in Mexico a few hours after their FIFA World Cup 2026 opener against New Zealand on June 15 evening.
Ghalenoei did not mention the source of the order but alleged that their departure was earlier than what was initially planned. As a result, the players will be robbed of recovery time after a gruelling draw against New Zealand. Now, they will have to get back on the plane for a long trip back to Tijuana.
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“They didn't even give us time to recover,” Ghalenoei said via an interpreter. “After the game today, they said to us, You have to leave immediately.' It's very important for us to have time for recovery, (but) we are asked to get on a plane and return to our camp in Tijuana, and we are really troubled by that.”
He went on to say that Iran are 'perhaps the most oppressed in the World Cup'.
Earlier, the war between Iran and US-Israel had raised doubts over their participation in the FIFA World Cup 2026. They even urged FIFA to shift their group stages out of the US but it wasn't accepted.
Iran captain Mehdi Taremi pointed out that the Iran team has already been through enough before playing their World Cup opener against New Zealand. He said that the squad was scheduled to arrive a couple of games before their first group stage game. Also, their departure was supposed to be in the afternoon of June 16 but the plans changed. He termed the planning for Iranian team as 'disaster' and wants FIFA intervention to streamline it.
Ghalenoei further claimed that several Iranian players have experienced cramps as they haven't had enough time to adjust due to their travel schedule. He revealed that it led to forced substitutions which were not technical but rather forced due to cramps. He fears that the lack of recovery time, may led to players struggling with fitness.
Iran's next game is against Belgium on June 21 at Los Angeles Stadium, Inglewood. Then, they face Egypt at Seattle Stadium, Seattle on June 26.
Iran find equalisers to avoid defeat
Iran faced an early setback in their opening encounter as Elijah Just found the back of the net in the seventh minute. Ramin Rezaeian found the equaliser in the 32nd minute. Early into the second half Just scored again. But, nine minutes later, Mohammad Mohebi found the equaliser. Mohebi’s gun celebration has led to criticism on social media as well.
Iran had a shy at the goal 17 times but were on target just four times. They had lesser number of passes, pass accuracy and more fouls to their name.