Iran manager takes shots at FIFA, U.S. after opening draw World Cup

Iran took a 2-2 draw against New Zealand in their first fixture at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The game took place under tense circumstances, as war began between the United States and Iran in February 2026. Iran is still participating, but has moved their base from the United States to Mexico for the World Cup. This has led Iranian star Mehdi Taremi to criticize the U.S. government due to the situation the team is currently enduring.

Now, Iran’s manager Amir Ghalenoei is calling out both the United States and FIFA. This was after travel plans were changed for the team, having them travel to the U.S. on Sunday, instead of two days ahead of the game, and now departing on Tuesday instead of Wednesday, according to Jason Le Miere of ESPN.

“We spent so much time in the air commuting, they didn’t even give us time to recover,” Ghalenoei said through 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’ve been told to return to our camp in Tijuana, and we are really troubled by that. I think perhaps our team is the most oppressed team in the whole World Cup.”

Ghalenoei did not give information on who instructed the Iranian team to leave immediately. Taremi did give some insight, noting that FIFA president Gianni Infantino visited the locker room after the game on Monday.

“For sure, he wants to try to help us, but it’s about other things, too. Everyone knows it,” Taremi said. “I don’t need to mention that because you know where we are. I think FIFA has to help us more than this. Let’s see what happens in the future.”

Despite the tensions off the pitch, Iran was able to get the draw in front of a crowd that had plenty of supporters of the team, as the Los Angeles area has the largest population of Iranians outside of Iran.

“There were many Iranians here. They believe in different political affiliations, different beliefs, but they all wholeheartedly encouraged us, and I think that’s a victory for all of us,” Ghalenoei said.

The team will return to Ingelwood for another fixture on Sunday, facing off against Belgium, who finished their first fixture of the Group Stage with a draw against Egypt.

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