Iran forward Mehdi Taremi has criticized FIFA, saying the national team has faced strain and scrutiny from the moment it arrived in the United States ahead of its politically charged World Cup opener.
Iran begins its tournament against New Zealand in Los Angeles on Monday, with the match unfolding against the extraordinary backdrop of hostilities involving the United States.
The build-up to the team’s participation has been marked by months of disruption and uncertainty, including disputes over visas reportedly denied to members of the Iranian delegation. President Donald Trump had earlier cast doubt on Iran’s presence, saying: “I really don’t believe it is appropriate that they be there, for their own life and safety.”
After the squad’s training base was switched from Arizona to Mexico at short notice, Amir Ghalenoei’s side traveled from Tijuana to Los Angeles on Sunday, crossing the border just before a peace agreement was announced. It marks the first time a World Cup host nation has received a country with which it is actively at war.
Undermining Peace
Almost two hours after touching down at LAX, Iran’s team bus reached its hotel under a police escort, amid heavy security that included drones, dogs and surveillance measures. The hotel is only around 15 minutes from the airport, and at least one individual was removed from near the entrance by officers.
The players were met by demonstrations both at their hotel and during an open training session, while as many as 35,000 protesters were reportedly expected outside SoFi Stadium on Monday night. Los Angeles is home to the largest Iranian diaspora community outside Iran, and many remain divided over whether to support the national team because of its perceived ties to the country’s ruling regime.
During a pre-game press conference on Sunday, Taremi suggested the chaos engulfing Iran ‘undermines’ FIFA’s message that soccer ‘brings peace.’ Minutes later, FIFA officials attempted to shut down a question as the build-up to the game descended into more chaos.
‘I have felt the tension since the moment we arrived,’ Taremi said. ‘It’s not just Iran that have been impacted, others including referees have been impacted. I have felt the tensions as soon as I arrived.
Banned Flags and Game-Halt Threats
‘Of course I don’t have the same beautiful experience [of his two previous World Cups in 2018 and 2022]. We talk about peace, joy, of course we don’t have the same experience.’
He continued: ‘Of course we have had problems but even before we arrived the sensation people had of looking forward to a World Cup they have not had the same feeling.
‘This kind of tension undermines that joy and it undermines the message of FIFA and our people which is football brings about peace. That is how I have felt.
‘This World Cup could have provided a better atmosphere than it has but I hope in the future it will be better for all fans at the World Cup, whoever they are supporting.’
FIFA has banned pre-revolutionary Iranian flags – featuring a lion and sun emblem – from games, with the Iranian regime threatening to halt games if unauthorized flags are displayed or the team is targeted by slogans from the stands.
During a pre-game press conference on Friday, a journalist attempted to ask Ghalenoei whether that would be a decision for the coach or the players, only for a FIFA official to interject.
Ignoring the Chaos in the Stands
The governing body had begun the press conference by insisting questions had to be focused on the game, rather than politics.
Despite the official’s attempt to shut down the question, Ghalenoei insisted his and his players’ focus would not be on what is going on in the stands.
‘We are here to perform a good match – a high-quality match,’ he said. ‘We don’t pay any attention to the hype or what’s going on around us.’
The ‘Tehrangeles’ area of LA is filled with families of untold thousands who fled the country after the Islamic Revolution in the late 1970s.
Amid warnings of protests, Taremi said: ‘We play for every Iranian, be it in the diaspora or in Iran… people have different opinions, but we are here to unite people and we will try to bring joy to all Iranians wherever they live. We do not get involved in politics. We are here to play football.’
Around a dozen members of Iran’s delegation have reportedly been banned from the United States, including the president of the country’s soccer federation.
A Proud Nation on the World Stage
US officials said visas had been issued to all players and ‘necessary support staff’ but that Iran could not ‘abuse this system to sneak terrorists into the United States under false pretenses.’
Sunday’s press conference began with a statement from head coach Ghalenoei, who said: ‘I am very happy to be representing the great and proud and strong nation of Iran.
‘I’m glad we’re all here from my country and I hope that football will bring about joy and enjoyment and it will bring closer the cultures and countries. I hope the World Cup will go well despite the travel problems we have had. I hope it will not affect the quality of our play.’
The US attacked Iran back in February, with the initial missile strikes killing its Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The war has slowed and resumed several times since then, with President Trump even announcing a peace deal earlier Sunday.
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