Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei claims his country was treated “unfairly” by the United States during the World Cup and urges FIFA to interfere in the future.
Iran has been competing in the World Cup despite its ongoing confrontation with the United States and Israel.
Their World Cup training camp was relocated from Arizona to Tijuana, Mexico, before the competition began, and they experienced travel restrictions throughout.
Iran’s squad was only permitted to enter the United States the day before its first two matches in Los Angeles, and they had to leave on the same day as the game due to visa restrictions.
Iran drew 1-1 with Egypt in their final Group G match, leaving their prospects of reaching the round of 32 hanging in the balance.
Travel restrictions were relaxed for the game in Seattle, allowing them to arrive two days early, although they were required to return to Tijuana following the game.
Ghalenoei said, “To my players and the team, I want to say I’m proud of them. What these young people, these players, have done should be written in history because the host country treated us very unfairly.
Despite all of these problems, we’ve been able to perform well, and the world is proud of Iranians and our team.
“I urge FIFA: don’t let hosts treat players and teams the same way in future World Cups.”
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has previously commented that the organization did well to ensure Iran could compete at the World Cup at all.
“When people were saying it would be impossible for Iran to come to the World Cup, I promised them that they would come,” Infantino said before the tournament began.
“I don’t know who else would have been able to ensure, in these circumstances—which we could not influence—Iran could come and play.”
Infantino later went to the Iran locker room after the team’s opening match with New Zealand.
Iran appeared to have secured an automatic place in the knockout stage at the end of the Egypt encounter when Shoja Khalilzadeh blasted a loose ball into the net in stoppage time.
The Iranian fans in the stadium cheered, but the goal was ruled for offside after a VAR review.
“I used to think that we were really a totally oppressed team, but after these three games, I have noticed that we also have bad luck as well,” Ghalenoei added.
Iran is sixth in the standings of third-placed teams, with three groups left to complete and the top eight advancing.
Captain Mehdi Taremi described the event as a “logistical disaster.”
He said, “How is it possible we always have to travel to Tijuana? We love the people of Mexico. We love Tijuana; it’s so good. They are such humble people. We love them.
“But as professional players, in a professional competition, it’s not right.”
