Iran's World Cup team ordered to leave US immediately after opening match, coach calls treatment 'oppression'

Iran's World Cup team was ordered to leave the U.S. immediately after its 2-2 draw with New Zealand, returning to its base in Tijuana, Mexico. Coach Amir Ghalenoei called the treatment "oppression," citing logistical hurdles like staff visa denials and a last-minute base change. A White House official confirmed the policy, which stems from political tensions following a recent war between the U.S., Israel, and Iran.

Forced immediate departure to Mexico

• ▪Iran's World Cup team was ordered to leave the U.S. and return to its Tijuana, Mexico base immediately after its opening match in Los Angeles on June 15, 2026
• ▪Andrew Giuliani of the White House's World Cup task force confirmed a policy requiring Iran's team to leave U.S. soil on the day of each match
• ▪Coach Amir Ghalenoei stated his team was "the most oppressed one in the whole World Cup" due to the travel restrictions
• ▪The team had planned to stay overnight in California for recovery but was told to depart just hours after the game
• ▪Captain Mehdi Taremi described the team's logistical situation as a "disaster."

US-Israel war against Iran

• ▪The team's World Cup preparations were disrupted by a war that began when the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran on February 28, 2026
• ▪A peace deal ending the conflict was announced approximately 24 hours before Iran's first match on June 15, 2026

Staff visa denials

• ▪Mehdi Torabi has links to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which the U.S. government classifies as a "terrorist entity."
• ▪Winger Mehdi Torabi's visa expired after the first match but was later replaced with a new, multiple-entry visa
• ▪Numerous Iranian team staff, including the football federation president and media officials, were denied visas to enter the U.S.
• ▪The Iran team moved its training base from Tucson, Arizona, to Tijuana, Mexico, in late May 2026 due to visa and logistical issues

Iran-New Zealand draw match

• ▪Coach Amir Ghalenoei said several players suffered cramps during the match, which he attributed to fatigue from travel disruptions
• ▪FIFA President Gianni Infantino visited the Iranian team in the dressing room after the game to offer support
• ▪Iran played to a 2-2 draw against New Zealand in its opening World Cup Group G match in Los Angeles on June 15, 2026

Iranian diaspora protests outside

• ▪Protesters displayed the Lion and Sun emblem, associated with Iran's pre-1979 flag, and many fans jeered during Iran's national anthem
• ▪Several hundred Iranian Americans protested against the Iranian government outside the stadium in Los Angeles during the match

Pro-Iranian crowd support inside

• ▪Despite protests, the crowd inside SoFi Stadium was described as strongly pro-Iranian and vocally supportive of the players
• ▪Captain Mehdi Taremi said the supportive atmosphere from the large Iranian diaspora in Los Angeles felt "like at home."