Topline
The Iranian soccer team claimed it was asked to depart the U.S. immediately and return to its base in Mexico shortly after its first World Cup game at Los Angeles Stadium, highlighting the impact of the U.S.-Iran war on the global competition despite ongoing truce talks.
Key Facts
Iran’s first game of the World Cup ended in a 2-2 draw against the much lower-ranked New Zealand, which managed to take the lead twice in the game before the Iranians scored equalizers.
The Iranian team—whose preparations have been disrupted by political tensions—arrived in the U.S. on Sunday from its World Cup home base in Mexico.
After the game, the team’s coach, Amir Ghalenoei, told reporters they had intended to remain in California overnight as part of their recovery process but were ordered to return to Mexico immediately.
Ghalenoei complained his team was not given “time to recover” and said he was “really troubled” after being told they must “leave immediately,” after the match.
Ghalenoei did not specify who ordered them to fly back to Tijuana immediately after the game, and it’s unclear if it was FIFA, a U.S. tournament official, or U.S. government officials.
Tangent
Before the start of the game, a group of Iranian-Americans in attendance booed the Iranian national anthem in an apparent protest against the country’s regime. Many of the Iranian supporters who had come to watch the game were wearing shirts with Iran’s pre-revolutionary flag and despite a FIFA ban on political symbols.
What Did The Iranian Players Say?
Ramin Rezaeian, who scored Iran’s first goal, won the “Player of the Match” trophy and then spoke to the press about the challenges of having to train in Mexico despite playing their games in the U.S. “I have to thank people in Mexico, they were so nice…But actually, it’s so difficult to train in Mexico and play in LA…We’re not happy today because I think we deserve to win the game.” When asked about his celebration after scoring the first goal and taking off his jersey, Rezaeian said: “It is something political, I don’t want to talk about that.” The other goal scorer, Mohammad Mohebi, also spoke to the press after the game and said the team had expected to arrive in Los Angeles two days before the game, but were delayed. He said they arrived yesterday afternoon and had to immediately go to training, which left them tired, adding: These kinds of things, I think, are not a little bit fair.”
What Have FIFA Officials Said?
After the game, FIFA President Gianni Infantino addressed the Iranian team in their locker room, according to a video clip shared by an Iranian state media reporter and cited by The Athletic. The FIFA boss said: “I know what you go through, I understand, but you are stronger than everything…You sent a strong message to the entire world.” He also noted that this was “just the beginning of the World Cup” and told the time “you are writing history.”
What To Watch For
Iran is scheduled to play their group’s strongest team, Belgium, next Monday at the Los Angeles Stadium once again. Their final group stage game, against Egypt, is scheduled to take place in Seattle on June 27.