Iran complains of pressure and lack of support after World Cup opener draw

Iran opened its 2026 World Cup campaign with a 2-2 draw against New Zealand on the night of Monday to Tuesday, but the result was overshadowed by complaints from inside the team about how it is being treated in the tournament. The match came amid tense Iran-US relations and left all four teams in Group G on one point.

Forward Mehdi Taremi said the situation around the squad had become “like an disaster” and argued that the team was being forced to leave Los Angeles earlier than planned. He said Iran had been expected to hold a recovery session the next morning before traveling to Tijuana, but was instead told to depart immediately. “It’s bad for us and it’s bad for football because in the World Cup you always need to prepare for the next game,” he said, adding that there is “a lot of pressure” and “no support,” and that FIFA should help more.

After the match, FIFA president Gianni Infantino visited Iran’s dressing room. Taremi said Infantino was “just trying to help us” and that the team believes he will assist them. Reports said Infantino told the squad he would do “everything he can” to ensure Iranian delegation members who had not received U.S. entry approval could attend the team’s two remaining group matches.

Coach Amir Ghalenoei also criticized the arrangement, saying it was “very worrying” and “very strange” that the team was being told to return to Tijuana immediately. He said decisions were being made for Iran without explanation and declared, “Iran is the team that is suffering the most oppression in this World Cup.” Iran next plays Belgium on Sunday and closes group play against Egypt next Saturday.