Arya News - Striker Mehdi Taremi says US travel policies are dampening the usual joy the football tournament ignites.
Los Angeles, United States — Hours before the United States and Iran reached an agreement to sign a “peace deal” following a months-long war, the Iranian football team arrived in Los Angeles for their first goal of the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Iranian manager Amir Ghalenoei wanted to talk about football, not politics, upon arrival in the World Cup host city on Sunday.
Before the team’s first news conference, FIFA officials had warned reporters to stick to sport when addressing the players and Ghalenoei nodded in agreement.
But there was no escaping the politics-shaped elephant in the room – from US visa denials to anticipated protests.
Several logistical hurdles were placed on the path of the team’s arrival in the nation hosting their World Cup games. All while their hosts based them across the border in Mexico.
So, head coach Amir Ghalenoei did not hold back.
He said the tournament’s organisation by the US, including refusing to host the team’s base camp, had created a challenge for Iran.
“This kind of behaviour will negatively impact the spirit of football,” Ghalenoei told reporters. “Whether we win, whether we lose, this is a difficult feeling.”
Striker Mehdi Taremi echoed that assessment. The former Inter Milan striker cited the denial of entry to Somali referee Omar Artan, stressing that it is not only Iran who has faced issues with their hosts.
“We don’t have the same beautiful experience we always talk about – the peace, the joy,” Taremi said.
“The sensation that people have looking forward to the World Cup, I think this time, maybe they didn’t have the same experience… This kind of tension, it undermines that joy. It undermines the message of FIFA.”
Team Melli, as Iran’s football team are known, were one of the first teams to seal qualification for the World Cup, topping their group and suffering only one loss and two draws in 10 games in the Asian qualifiers.
They have carried that momentum in the lead-up to the tournament, winning several recent friendlies.
Despite Team Melli’s red-hot form, Iran’s participation was in doubt after the US and Israel attacked the country on February 28, and Tehran responded by launching attacks on Israel as well as US bases in the Gulf.
Iran’s group stage games against New Zealand, Belgium and Egypt will take place on the US West Coast.
In March, US President Donald Trump suggested that Team Melli would be under threat if they came to the US.
“The Iran National Soccer Team is welcome to the World Cup, but I really don’t believe it is appropriate that they be there, for their own life and safety,” Trump had said in a post on Truth Social.
Iranian officials had already cast doubt on the team’s participation.
Eventually, it was agreed that Iran would take part in the tournament, but train and be based in Mexico, only coming to the US to play.
Ghalenoei confirmed the itinerary, saying that Team Melli would be returning to Mexico after the game on Monday.
The team also faces the issue of planned protests by Iranian opposition activists in Los Angeles.
Both Ghalenoei and Taremi emphasised that they are at the World Cup to represent all Iranians, at home and abroad.
“I would like to say that we respect all Iranians, be it the Iranians who are inside the country or outside. We are here to play football, and football can always unite all factions,” Taremi said.
Ghalenoei also underscored football’s ability to bring about unity.
“I am very happy to be representing the strong and proud nation of Iran,” he said.
“I hope that football will bring about joy and enjoyment and will bring closer cultures and countries, and I hope the World Cup will go well despite the travel problems we had.”
For a highly anticipated news conference that started with a warning to only talk about football, few tactics were discussed.
“Nobody asked football-related questions,” Taremi quipped in his closing remarks. “We have high respect for New Zealand, and we hope it will be a good game.”