The Iranian national soccer team faced unexpected challenges following their 2-2 draw against New Zealand at the World Cup, according to team manager Amir Ghalenoei. After the match on Monday night in Los Angeles, Ghalenoei said the team was abruptly instructed to leave the city immediately, departing from their initial plan to remain in California for recovery before returning to their base camp in Tijuana, Mexico.

Ghalenoei did not specify who issued the directive or provide reasons for the sudden move. Speaking in Farsi through FIFA’s interpreter, he expressed frustration over the lack of rest time, emphasizing the importance of recovery after a demanding game. “They said to us, you have to leave immediately, whereas today, it’s very important for us to have time for recovery,” Ghalenoei stated. He described the situation as troubling for the team.

Iran’s participation in the tournament had been uncertain until shortly before the event, influenced by ongoing geopolitical tensions, including its conflict with the United States and Israel. The team’s original base camp was planned for Arizona but was later relocated to Tijuana. While all players, including captain Mehdi Taremi, who has served in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, received U.S. visas, several support staff and Iranian media personnel were denied entry.

Captains Mehdi Taremi and Mohammad Mohebi told reporters that FIFA president Gianni Infantino had visited their locker room before the game to offer assistance, although the details and outcomes of those efforts remain unclear.

Highlighting the team’s struggles, Ghalenoei described Iran as possibly the most “oppressed” squad in the tournament. He cited the absence of the federation’s head, the lack of media presence, and the reduced support staff, noting the coaching team was limited in helping with in-game substitutions. “We used to have part of the coaching team to help with substitutions, but we didn’t have that,” he said.

Ghalenoei criticized the delays in their arrival, the forced early departure without adequate recovery time, and the compounding difficulties faced by the team as obstacles that continue to mount. Despite these challenges, he asserted that the team remains determined to perform at its best throughout the competition.