Iran Slams FIFA’s “Oppressive” World Cup Treatment Amid Growing Controversy

Iran have fiercely criticized what they described as “oppressive” and “disastrous” treatment at the World Cup, claiming they were being forced to leave the United States immediately after Monday night’s opening match. After a 2-2 draw with New Zealand in Los Angeles, striker Mehdi Taremi made an extraordinary appeal to FIFA, urging the governing body to step in over what he called an unfair situation. Before the tournament, it had been agreed that Iran, who are playing all of their group-stage fixtures in the US, would travel in and out of the country on matchdays. Since war broke out in February, questions had lingered over Iran’s participation. Donald Trump had warned the team not to come for their “own life and safety,” while Iran also shifted its base from Arizona to Mexico. Later, nearly a dozen members of the delegation were denied visas. Following the match against New Zealand, FIFA president Gianni Infantino visited Iran’s dressing room, after which head coach Amir Ghalenoei and Taremi suggested US authorities were insisting the squad return to their base in Tijuana against their wishes.

“Everything is like a disaster actually for us,” Taremi said. “We still have problems because we are supposed to train tomorrow morning for recovery and then leave for Tijuana. But we have to leave Los Angeles right now, and it’s not good for us.” He argued that the travel demands were damaging the team’s preparation, adding that proper recovery is essential at a World Cup where the pressure on players, staff and everyone involved is already intense. Taremi said Iran were not receiving the support they needed and insisted FIFA should be doing more to help.

Taremi also said Iran’s players asked Infantino directly why they were being made to leave. Asked what the FIFA president told them in the dressing room, the forward replied: “He just wants to help us. It’s the beginning of the World Cup now, and he will help us. We believe everything he says.” Teammate Mohammad Mohebi likewise said the team’s treatment was not “fair,” while Ghalenoei backed up those concerns. “They said we had to leave immediately,” the coach said. “It’s very important for us to have time for recovery and yet we were asked to return to Tijuana, and we are really troubled by that. We do not know why they are returning us.”

I think it’s very strange.’ The head coach continued: ‘It seems like others are doing the planning for us, decisions made elsewhere, we were supposed [to arrive] two nights before the game and we were not permitted. ‘We were supposed to stay tonight and return tomorrow lunchtime but I have no idea why and they haven’t told [us]… our team is the most oppressed one in the whole World Cup.’

It is understood Infantino told the squad that he would do what he could to ensure more Iranian officials, who did not receive visas, could travel to the USA for their final two group games. The tension comes as Trump announced this weekend that a deal to end the war with Iran is ‘all signed’. The official signing ceremony is set to be held on June 19 in Switzerland. In a post on Truth Social, the president said, ‘The deal with the Islamic Republic of Iran is now complete.’ ‘I hereby fully authorize the toll free opening of the Strait of Hormuz, and, simultaneously herewith, authorize the immediate removal of the United States Naval blockade,’ he added.

Iran’s World Cup issues are not the first the country’s footballers have faced this year. Three months ago, their women’s football team faced controversy after their participation in the Asian Cup, where they refused to sing their country’s national anthem ahead of a game with South Korea. The situation escalated into a major diplomatic incident involving street protests and threats from the Islamic Regime, leading Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to grant several players asylum. But on Monday, the World Cup squad were praised by FIFA chief Infantino for their participation, declaring it sent ‘a strong message to the world’.

He told them: ‘You showed to your families, friends, to your people, to the world, that you’re in the World Cup, that you perform and you have two more games to go. ‘In these two games, you will make again everyone in the world proud of what you do. Thank you for being here,’ he said, with his words met by applause. ‘It is also a big, big emotion. I know what you go through, I understand, but you are stronger than everything. ‘You send a strong message to the entire world.

Like tonight you united the whole stadium here, you united the whole stadium behind you, behind Team Melli. You are sending such a strong message to the world. ‘Let me say one more thing: this is just the beginning of the World Cup. You are writing history, the whole world is watching you. Continue to play with your heart, for your people, your families, for your fans and for everyone in the world that is falling in love with Team Melli. You are stronger than everything.’

Iran jetted into Los Angeles the afternoon before Monday’s game and Taremi suggested the team faced delays at the US border. ‘We [should] come here two days before the game,’ Mohebi insisted. ‘Yesterday we came, we started the trip in the morning and we arrive in the afternoon. ‘Then we go to the training and we get tired. I think we’re supposed to come here two days before the game. This kind of thing is not a little bit fair. We need to get fair competition.’ Taremi was later asked if he had a message for President Trump. ‘I’m here to play football, my friend,’ he said. ‘We are tired to talk about [the problems]. ‘And if they help us, we are much appreciated about that… if no one helps us, it doesn’t matter. We just stay back to back, behind each other and we try our best to win both the next games.’ Iran are due to return to the USA to face Belgium in LA on Sunday before they take on Egypt in Seattle. Protestors took to the outside of the stadium during Iran’s first match, calling for change in Tehran and waving the pre-revolutionary lion-and-sun flag.