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Jun 17, 20261
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Iran Denounces FIFA Over Post-Match Travel Disruptions at 2026 World Cup
Iran's football team criticized FIFA for ordering them to depart Los Angeles immediately after their 2-2 draw with New Zealand at the 2026 World Cup, citing disrupted recovery time and compounded travel delays. The team, based in Tijuana due to U.S. visa complications, faced additional strain from five-hour journeys to Los Angeles complicated by immigration procedures.
Quick Facts
Who
Mehdi Taremi (Iran captain)
What
Iran drew 2-2 with New Zealand in Group G
When
June 15, 2026 (match date)
Where
Los Angeles, California (match venue)
- Iran drew 2-2 with New Zealand in Group G
- FIFA ordered Iran to leave Los Angeles immediately after the match
- Iran's support staff faced visa denials
- Iran relocated training base from Tucson to Tijuana
- FIFA President visited Iran's dressing room
Iran's national football team criticized FIFA following their 2-2 Group G draw with New Zealand on June 15, 2026, at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Los Angeles. Captain Mehdi Taremi, midfielder Mohammad Mohebi, and head coach Amir Ghalenoei all voiced frustrations over being ordered to leave Los Angeles immediately after the match, describing the situation as a "disaster" and damaging to player recovery. Ghalenoei stated that FIFA's travel arrangements had made Iran "the most oppressed" team at the tournament, with the mandatory return to their training base in Tijuana, Mexico—a journey complicated by immigration procedures that extended to five hours—creating additional strain on squad preparation.
The travel disruptions were compounded by pre-tournament visa challenges. Iran had relocated its training operations from Tucson, Arizona, to Tijuana due to immigration concerns before the tournament began. During the visa processing phase, 15 members of the team's support staff were initially denied entry to the United States, a figure later reduced to 11 after additional approvals. The delegation that arrived in Los Angeles was missing both media officers, several analysts, and federation president Mehdi Taj.
Taremi highlighted the physical toll of the schedule, noting that the extended travel combined with immediate match demands increased stress on players and staff without adequate recovery support. Mohebi expressed concern about the accumulated fatigue affecting specific muscle groups, stating that the demanding schedule was unfair to the team's preparation for upcoming matches. Despite these grievances, Ghalenoei praised Mexico's hospitality and the warm reception from Tijuana residents.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino visited Iran's dressing room following the match to address the players' concerns directly. He later shared a message of encouragement with the squad, acknowledging their performance and telling them they had inspired supporters worldwide. Infantino urged the team to continue playing with passion for their supporters and families, framing the match as the beginning of their World Cup journey.
Why This Matters
This incident highlights the operational challenges FIFA faces in organizing global tournaments under geopolitical constraints. The visa complications and mandatory travel restrictions raise questions about player welfare, fair competition standards, and FIFA's responsibility to ensure equitable treatment of all participating nations. For media and policy stakeholders, it underscores tensions between U.S. immigration procedures and international sports logistics, with potential implications for future tournament hosting.