The Iranian team debuted on June 15 in the 2026 World Cup with a 2-2 draw against New Zealand, which leaves all the teams in Group G – which also includes Egypt and Belgium – equal on points.
However, far from the football atmosphere and the enthusiasm of competing in a World Cup, behind the field, complaints have been reported from the Iranian team, whose members They claim that the US has demanded that they leave the country “immediately.”
This was stated by the Iran coach, Amir Ghalenoei, who stated in a press conference after the match that the authorities They forced the entire Iranian delegation to leave the country “immediately.”
This occurs in the midst of tensions between the US and Iran, not only due to the war that began on February 28, but also due to geopolitical issues such as the blockade in the Strait of Hormuz and the negotiations between both countries to reach a peace agreement.
Additionally, Ghalenoei said that the Iranian team was not allowed to stay one more night in Los Angeles to rest after the match against New Zealand, even though he already had authorization to do so.
“We don’t know why they make us return (to Tijuana, where they have their concentration) and It’s very strange because others are making our decisions“said the Iranian coach.
The coach described his country as “the most oppressed in the entire World Cup,” after stating that, after After the game, the players and coaching staff were forced to board a plane.
protests
Before the match, there was also a tense atmosphere around the stadium, where around 200 people They expressed their rejection of Iran’s participation in the World Cup competition.
At the center of the protest was Parsa, who wore the current Iranian flag tied to his ankles so that people would walk over and step on it. As he explained, it was his way of protesting against the Iranian regime and the participation of the national team in the World Cup.
“I do not accept this flag that you see here lying on the ground. This flag kills people. They have killed many people of my generation who only want freedom. FIFA knows that we do not like this flag and that we do not accept it, but we want the world to know that we do not support corruption or terrorism“, he told EFE.
Controversial celebration
Another factor that has been relevant in Iran’s debut in the World Cup was a curious celebration that the player Mohammad Mohebi did after tying the match against New Zealand.
After scoring, the Iranian player went towards the stands and made a gesture where he simulated firing bursts with a gunwhich generated controversy on social networks.
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