Iran's World Cup preparations have been hampered by political tensions and visa issues, but head coach Amir Ghalenoei insists his players will disregard external distractions.
The Iranian national team arrives at the tournament amidst significant diplomatic friction, notably with the United States, which has reportedly denied visas to some support staff. Their opening match against New Zealand in Los Angeles marks a unique circumstance, with a World Cup host nation facing a country with which it is engaged in conflict. Protests from the Iranian diaspora opposing the current regime are anticipated outside the stadium, and concerns have been raised about potential on-field protests by the team in response to anti-government displays.
Ghalenoei stated during a press conference that the team's objective is to deliver a high-quality performance, asserting, "We don't pay attention to any of the hype and anything that goes on around us." He acknowledged that all teams face challenges, and many external issues are unrelated to the sport itself. The coach emphasized that the team's presence is to "represent the respectful people of Iran, be it the Iranians inside Iran or the Iranian diaspora," and that football should remain separate from politics.
The press conference occurred shortly after an announcement regarding a peace deal between the US and Iran, aiming for an immediate and permanent cessation of military operations. The controversies surrounding the Iranian team are not isolated, as other political factors have affected the World Cup, which is co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Striker Mehdi Taremi noted that the tension is not exclusive to Iran, citing the example of a Somali referee being denied entry to the US for the tournament, which he believes "undermines that joy and it undermines the message of FIFA or people, which is about football that brings about peace."
The team's training camp was relocated from the United States to Tijuana, Mexico, at short notice. Ghalenoei admitted that this change and the delayed arrival will affect the team's adjustment period but expressed confidence in his players' determination to perform at their highest level. He further explained that the repeated changes to their training base have impacted the team, yet he underscored the resilience of Iranians, stating, "we Iranians make opportunities out of hardship, and we don't think about anything other than bringing joy to our people."
Iran has yet to advance to the knockout stages of a World Cup. They are drawn in Group G alongside Belgium and Egypt.
