Iran's FIFA World Cup 2026 journey started with a 2-2 draw against New Zealand. However, the team faced immediate travel disruptions. Coach Amir Ghalenoei expressed disappointment over being asked to leave the United States immediately after the match. Captain Mehdi Taremi also highlighted visa problems affecting the delegation. These issues overshadowed the team's performance on the field.

Iran’s team is scheduled to play all its group games in the U.S., but it has set up its home base for the World Cup in Tijuana, Mexico.

The coach of Iran’s World Cup team says it was ordered to leave the U.S. and return to its training base in Mexico only a few hours after opening its politically charged…

Coach says abrupt exit from California hurt player recovery