Iran criticizes World Cup travel problems after draw with New Zealand - 'Everything was a disaster'

INGLEWOOD, Calif. — After opening the World Cup with a 2-2 draw with New Zealand on Monday night. Iran's national team players and coaches have criticized their team's treatment in the United States. It pointed out that the Iranian team was in an unfavorable position in the competition. He was ordered to fly into Los Angeles the night before the match against New Zealand and had to fly back to camp in Tijuana on Monday night. "They didn't give us any time to recover," Iran coach Amir Galenoei told reporters through a translator. "After today's competition They told us 'You have to leave immediately.' It was very important for us to have time to recover. But we were asked to get on a plane and return to the camp in Tijuana. Which makes us feel really stressed out.” Neither Galenoei nor Iran striker Mehdi Taremi said it was who ordered them to leave the Los Angeles area before the desired time. "My friend, I'm just a player," Taremi said. "I'm not the president of the federation. I can't answer that question because I don't know.” Iran's hectic travel schedule is due to geopolitical tensions with the United States. Over the past several months, the United States has refused to allow Iranian national team officials to stay in the country for the entire duration of the World Cup. Although all three of Iran's group stage matches will be held on American soil, with the first two matches being in the Los Angeles area and the last being in Seattle. Meanwhile, FIFA rejected Iran's request to move group stage matches to Mexico. But recently, various parties A logistical agreement was reached to keep the Iranian team as close to the United States as possible. FIFA has allowed Iran to move its training camp from Tucson to Tijuana. Mexican town near the California border The 140-mile trip from Tijuana to Los Angeles on Sunday took five hours. Taremi said. When asked about the reason for the delay Taremi hinted that security checks were the main issue. “It is a bad situation,” Taremi said. “We are trying to rise above this situation. From the past two months, last month, we have had many problems. It's terrible and it's affecting our team.” The Iranian players raised these issues with FIFA president Gianni Infantino after the match. Taremi and Mohammad Mohebi said Infantino responded that he wanted to help. Another complaint from Iranian players is visa issues for the traveling team. Twenty-six members of the Iranian football team were allowed entry into the United States. But some support staff and Iranian football officials who planned to travel with the team were rejected. 'What we will not allow' US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said a month ago "It's that they're going to bury people that we don't know are related to sports and have connections to Islamic Republic cards or something similar." Taremi responded on Monday: "I think FIFA has to help us more... Everything was a real disaster for us." Iran faced falling behind New Zealand twice. But you can always come back. Mohebi equalized in the 64th minute with a powerful header from teammate Ramin Rezaian's perfect cross. After the game, Mohebi said Iran was not in the best form because the travel schedule had taken its toll. "Are you tired?" he said. Taremi hopes to get FIFA's help now that Iran and the US A preliminary agreement was reached to end the war. "If they help us We would be very grateful,” Taremi said. “If no one helps us, that's OK. We have to stand together.” --- ## Related Articles 1. [Luis de la Fuente Confirms All Players Fit Ahead of World Cup Opener](https://pitchpulsemedia.com/en/news/luis-de-la-fuente-confirms-all-players-fit-ahead-of-world-cup-opener) 2. [Why England Must Aim to Win Their World Cup Group](https://pitchpulsemedia.com/en/news/why-england-must-aim-to-win-their-world-cup-group)