‘Most Oppressed in the World Cup’: Iran Coach Says Team Ordered Out of U.S. Right After 2-2 Draw with New Zealand in Opener
Coach Amir Ghalenoei said Iran was told to leave immediately after a 2-2 draw, disrupting recovery plans and forcing a return to Tijuana.
- On Monday, Iran drew 2-2 with New Zealand at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, then was ordered to immediately return to its base camp in Tijuana, Mexico, disrupting planned recovery time.
- FIFA rejected Iran's request to move group matches out of the United States, forcing the team to base in Tijuana while playing in the U.S. amid the ongoing U.S.-Iran war.
- Head coach Amir Ghalenoei said the team was "really troubled" by the immediate departure order, while FIFA President Gianni Infantino visited the squad in the locker room after the match.
- A crowd of 70,108 attended the match featuring both cheers and protests, as Mohammad Mohebi scored the tying goal in the 64th minute to help Iran overcome two deficits.
- The squad faces European heavyweights Belgium this Sunday in Inglewood, followed by a trip to Seattle for Egypt next week, with all four Group G teams tied on one point.
39 Articles
39 Articles
"Shocking shock! Telling them to leave the U.S. immediately. It was heartbreaking enough drawing 2-2 with weak New Zealand, but now Iran is being forcibly expelled. Captain Taremi fiercely criticizes, calling everything a disaster and the coach's oppression devastating." Sports Chosun reporter Kim Seong-won. It has been a series of twists and turns. After a fierce struggle, Iran unfortunately drew with weak New Zealand. Iran... (16th KST) U.S.
Iran ordered out of US early after first World Cup match
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — The coach of Iran’s World Cup team said it was ordered to leave the U.S. and return to its training base in Mexico only a few hours after opening its politically charged tournament by playing to a 2-2 draw with New Zealand on Monday night.
After the first group match at the 2026 World Cup in the USA, the Iranian national team has to leave the country unexpectedly.
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