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

Jun 16, 2026

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.
▪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."