Iranian National Football Team manager Amir Ghalenoei called his squad the "most repressed team in the whole World Cup," revealing they were ordered to leave Los Angeles for their training base in Mexico shortly after their Monday night opening match against New Zealand.
Abrupt Departure Order
Ghalenoei said the team had expected to remain in the California metropolis overnight and conduct a recovery session the next day, but were instead told immediately after the final whistle that they must return. "We spent so much time in the air commuting, they didn't even give us time to recover," he said through an interpreter, according to US sports outlet ESPN. "After the game today, they said to us: 'You have to leave immediately.'"
FIFA President's Visit
Ghalenoei did not specify who issued the departure order. However, Iran captain Mehdi Taremi noted that FIFA President Gianni Infantino visited the team in the locker room after Monday's game. "For sure, he wants to try to help us, but it's about other things, too. Everyone knows it," Taremi stated, seemingly referencing long-standing tensions between the US and Iran, even as the over 100-day war between the two nations is set to conclude with a peace deal this week. "I don't need to mention that because you know where we are," he added.
Background of Camp Relocation
The Iranian national squad was initially scheduled to be based in Tucson, Arizona, for the World Cup duration. However, they moved their camp to Tijuana, Mexico, in late May after facing logistical and visa issues.
