Even After “Deal,” the U.S. Is Treating Iran’s Soccer Team Horribly

Iran’s national soccer team was compelled to depart the U.S. immediately after their 2-2 World Cup draw against New Zealand in Los Angeles on Monday night, denying them critical recovery time ahead of their next match. Coach Amir Ghalenoi criticized the decision, stating the team was ordered to return to their base camp in Tijuana, Mexico, despite plans to stay overnight in the U.S. for preparation. The move follows months of restrictions, including the denial of visas to 11 members of the team’s support staff, media officers, and Iranian Football Federation President Mehdi Taj, while winger Mehdi Torabi’s visa expired after being granted only a single-entry permit. The team’s struggles extend beyond visa issues. Iran was originally denied permission to establish a base camp in Tucson, Arizona, forcing them to relocate to Tijuana—a 140-mile detour that added five hours of travel and security checks before their match. Their fan base has also been affected, with the entire ticket allocation revoked, though it remains unclear whether this decision came from U.S. authorities or FIFA. Captain Mehdi Taremi expressed frustration, calling the conditions ‘not good for football,’ as players and staff lack proper support. He urged FIFA to intervene, emphasizing the added stress of competing without adequate preparation. The Iranian federation is now scrambling to secure a new visa for Torabi to ensure his participation in remaining matches. The restrictions appear tied to broader U.S. policies, with the Trump administration cited as the source of the team’s hardships. FIFA’s role in acquiescing to these measures has drawn criticism, particularly as the team’s management, media, and federation officials remain barred from entering the country. The situation has left Iran’s squad feeling isolated and disadvantaged during the tournament.