Iran forward Mehdi Taremi has criticized FIFA, saying the national team has faced strain and unrest from the moment it arrived in the United States ahead of its politically sensitive World Cup opener.
Iran begins its tournament on Monday in Los Angeles against New Zealand, with the match unfolding amid the wider backdrop of conflict involving the United States.
For months, Iran’s participation has been clouded by disruption and uncertainty, including disputes over visas reportedly denied to members of the delegation. President Donald Trump had earlier voiced concern, saying: “I really don’t believe it is appropriate that they be there, for their own life and safety.”
After a late change saw the team’s training base moved from Arizona to Mexico, Amir Ghalenoei’s squad crossed into the US from Tijuana and arrived in Los Angeles on Sunday. Almost two hours after touching down at LAX, the team bus reached their hotel under police escort, with drones, dogs and surveillance measures deployed. The hotel is only around 15 minutes from the airport.
On the way, players passed a small protest, while reports have suggested as many as 35,000 demonstrators could gather at SoFi Stadium on Monday night. Los Angeles is home to the largest Iranian diaspora outside Iran, and many within that community remain divided over whether to back the national team because of its alleged ties to the country’s ruling regime.
Speaking at a pre-match press conference on Sunday, Taremi said the turmoil surrounding Iran “undermines” FIFA’s claim that football “brings peace.” Moments later, FIFA officials tried to cut off a question, adding to the disorder that has overshadowed the build-up to the match.
Iran star Mehdi Taremi took a shot at FIFA ahead of team’s highly-charged World Cup opener
President Donald Trump previously warned Iran that it may not be safe at the World Cup
‘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.
‘Of course I don’t have the same beautiful experience [of past World Cups]. 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.
The governing body had begun the press conference by insisting questions had to be focused on the game, rather than politics.
Amir Ghalenoei’s players arrived in Los Angeles from their base in Tijuana on Saturday
The Iranian players were welcomed by a police escort, protests and drones
Taremi admitted that he and his teammates had felt the tension since their arrival
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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.’
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.
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.’
