Iran's captain, Mehdi Taremi, said their World Cup 2026 was affected by the war against co-host United States—from visas to logistics—and criticized its impact on FIFA's message of peace.
Iran captain Mehdi Taremi has criticized the impact of the ongoing war against the United States on their 2026 World Cup campaign, saying it has overshadowed the expected fun and spirit of the tournament. Iran arrived in the Los Angeles area on Sunday from their training base in Tijuana, Mexico—just over the border—about 225km from SoFi Stadium where they will open the group-stage against New Zealand this Monday night.
According to Taremi, he already felt the tension in the tournament from the beginning, including visa glitches and the transfer of the training camp. The team originally planned to train in Tucson, Arizona, but it was moved to Baja California after the war broke out. FIFA rejected Iran's request to play group-stage matches outside the United States due to logistical and contractual issues.
The camp also said that they had problems with the visas of some members of the delegation, including two media relations people who were not approved for the opening match. Iran and their spectators also experienced issues with match tickets.
"This kind of tension destroys the joy and the message of FIFA and our people that football brings peace," said Taremi, the 33-year-old Olympiacos striker who is in his third World Cup. "I hope the atmosphere was better, and I hope in the future it will be better for all fans regardless of the team they support."
<figure style="margin:2rem 0;overflow:hidden;border:1px solid #e2e2e2;background:#f9f9f9"><img src="https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/O3yydRGKAsS0ba03ZA6QPw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY0MDtjZj13ZWJw/https://media.zenfs.com/en/the_independent_us_sports_articles_270/1290d56d4999fed03b6b346d66da6b50" alt="Image" style="width:100%;height:auto;object-fit:contain" loading="lazy" /></figure>
Coach Amir Ghalenoei insisted that the team's technical preparation was affected, but he tried to keep the players' focus on strategy and technique. Iran also has limited entry into the United States—flying in the day before the match and leaving immediately afterward. Iran will play again in Inglewood, California next Sunday against Belgium, before concluding the group stage in Seattle against Egypt on June 26.
According to Iran, the trip from Tijuana to SoFi Stadium took about five hours, including the very short flight. Ghalenoei praised Mexico's welcome and said Iranians are used to making opportunities out of poverty, whose only goal is to bring joy to their countrymen.
The Los Angeles area was chosen for Iran's two matches because of the large Iranian community there—the so-called 'Tehrangeles'—made up of families who fled after the Islamic Revolution in the 1970s. Taremi and Ghalenoei are aware that there are Iranians in the United States who may not be on the team's side because of politics, but they insist, they are playing for all Iranians.
"We are for every Iranian, whether in the diaspora or in Iran," said Taremi. "People have different opinions, but we're here to unite and make everyone happy. We don't get involved in politics—we're here to play football."
Related Articles
- France vs Senegal: World Cup 2026 Opener Preview
- Sweden Overwhelms Tunisia 5-1 in World Cup 2026 Opener
<h2>Related Articles</h2>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://azkalsgoal.com/fil/news/opisyal-pinalawig-ng-ehipto-ang-kontrata-ni-hossam-hassan-bilang-seleksiyonador">Opisyal: Pinalawig ng Ehipto ang kontrata ni Hossam Hassan bilang</a></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://azkalsgoal.com/fil/news/belhika-tinapos-ang-huling-ensayo-bago-harapin-ang-espanya-balik-si-de-bruyne-wa">Belhika tinapos ang huling ensayo bago harapin ang Espanya: balik si</a></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://azkalsgoal.com/fil/news/fifa-world-cup-2026-linggo-tatlo-estado-ng-paligsahan">FIFA World Cup 2026 Linggo Tatlo: Estado ng Paligsahan</a></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://azkalsgoal.com/fil/news/balogun-gate-malakas-na-pagbatikos-ng-belgium-matapos-baguhin-ng-fifa-ang-suspen">'Balogun Gate': Malakas na Pagbatikos ng Belgium matapos Baguhin ng</a></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://azkalsgoal.com/fil/news/panganib-na-lumampas-ang-halftime-show-fifa-hindi-sumusunod-sa-mga-patakaran">Panganib na lumampas ang halftime show: FIFA hindi sumusunod sa mga</a></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://azkalsgoal.com/fil/news/fifa-iniimbestigahan-ang-umano-y-insidente-ng-racism-laban-kay-ishowspeed-sa-lab">FIFA Iniimbestigahan ang Umano'y Insidente ng Racism Laban kay</a></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://azkalsgoal.com/fil/news/belgium-lumipat-ng-lokasyon-ng-ensayo-dahil-sa-mahinang-kalidad-ng-field-bago-kw">Belgium lumipat ng lokasyon ng ensayo dahil sa mahinang kalidad ng</a></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://azkalsgoal.com/fil/news/ehipto-sinalubong-bilang-bayani-matapos-round-of-16-world-cup-2026-kontrobersyal">Sigawan sa Ehipto: koponan sinalubong bilang bayani matapos umabot sa</a></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://azkalsgoal.com/fil/news/fabian-ruiz-bumukas-de-ketelaere-bumawi-1-1-unang-kalahati-espanya-belhika-world">Fabian Ruiz bumukas, De Ketelaere bumawi: 1-1 ang unang kalahati ng</a></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://azkalsgoal.com/fil/news/schjelderup-nagpasiklab-noruwega-1-0-kontra-inglatera-sa-ika-36-minuto-sa-miami">Schjelderup nagpasiklab: Noruwega 1-0 kontra Inglatera sa ika-36</a></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://azkalsgoal.com/fil/news/balik-tanaw-pinakamakapanabik-na-sandali-sa-fifa-world-cup-2026">Balik-tanaw: Pinakamakapanabik na Sandali sa FIFA World Cup 2026</a></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://azkalsgoal.com/fil/news/rodri-ng-spain-itinanghal-na-golden-ball-winner-sa-fifa-world-cup-2026">Rodri ng Spain, Itinanghal na Golden Ball Winner sa FIFA World Cup</a></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://azkalsgoal.com/fil/news/world-cup-2026-lahat-ng-nagwagi-ng-golden-ball-mula-1982-rodri-unang-espanyol-na">World Cup 2026: Lahat ng nagwagi ng Golden Ball mula 1982 — Rodri</a></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://azkalsgoal.com/fil/news/vozinha-pinili-ng-fifa-sa-koponan-ng-torneo-unai-simon-at-cubarsi-hindi-kasama">Vozinha pinili ng FIFA sa Koponan ng Torneo; Unai Simón at Cubarsí</a></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://azkalsgoal.com/fil/news/world-cup-2026-fifa-at-fifpro-mas-mahigpit-na-patakaran-vs-matinding-init">World Cup 2026: FIFA at FIFPRO nagtutulungan para sa mas mahigpit na</a></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://azkalsgoal.com/fil/news/nakakagulat-na-rebelasyon-isang-tao-lang-ang-nag-alis-ng-suspensiyon-ni-balogun">Nakakagulat na rebelasyon: Isang tao lang ang nag-alis ng suspensiyon</a></li>
</ul>
