LOS ANGELES — Iran’s World Cup campaign has become embroiled in controversy after team officials said players and staff were required to leave the United States shortly after their opening match and return to their base in neighboring Mexico.
The issue surfaced following Iran’s 2-2 draw with New Zealand at SoFi Stadium on Sunday night. While teams typically remain near the match venue to recover, conduct media duties and prepare for upcoming fixtures, Iranian officials said their squad was instructed to depart the United States and travel back to Tijuana, where the team is based for the tournament.
Head coach Amir Ghalenoei criticized the arrangement, arguing that the additional travel disrupted the team’s recovery schedule at a crucial stage of the competition.
Speaking after the match, Ghalenoei said the team had faced a series of logistical difficulties since arriving for the tournament. He suggested the latest travel requirement added further strain on players already navigating an unusually complex World Cup setup.
Team captain Mehdi Taremi echoed those concerns, describing the situation as challenging for both players and staff. According to Iranian representatives, border crossings, travel procedures and restrictions affecting some members of the delegation have complicated preparations throughout the tournament.
The circumstances surrounding Iran’s World Cup participation have drawn attention for months. Amid ongoing political tensions between Tehran and Washington, Iran had previously sought to avoid playing matches in the United States. FIFA ultimately maintained the tournament schedule, while reports emerged that several Iranian support staff members were unable to secure US visas ahead of the competition.
As a result, Iran established its training base in Tijuana, just across the border from Southern California. The arrangement allows the team to travel into the United States for matches while remaining outside the country between games. However, critics argue that the setup creates additional logistical hurdles not faced by most competing nations.
The controversy comes at a time when the expanded 2026 FIFA World Cup is already testing the limits of tournament logistics. With matches spread across the United States, Canada and Mexico, teams face longer travel distances than in previous editions, making recovery time and scheduling increasingly important factors.
Despite the off-field distractions, Iran produced a resilient performance against New Zealand. The side twice fought back to earn a 2-2 draw, securing a valuable point in a competitive Group G and keeping its hopes of reaching the knockout stage intact.
Following the match, FIFA President Gianni Infantino reportedly visited the Iranian dressing room and spoke with players and officials. Football’s governing body has not publicly detailed the reasons behind the team’s immediate departure from Los Angeles, and no formal dispute has been announced.
For now, attention inside the Iranian camp is shifting toward its next group-stage fixture against Belgium. Yet the debate surrounding travel arrangements and player welfare is unlikely to disappear quickly.
The episode highlights one of the unique challenges facing the first World Cup to be hosted across three countries. While organizers have promoted the tournament’s scale and reach, Iran’s complaints have renewed questions about how teams operating under special travel restrictions can compete on equal footing during football’s biggest event.