SEATTLE
Iran’s head coach, Amir Ghalenoei, has publicly criticized the United States for imposing harsh travel restrictions on his team during the ongoing FIFA World Cup. His comments followed a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Egypt in their final group-stage match in Seattle.
The tournament has been logistically difficult for the Iranian squad. Due to diplomatic tensions, the team was forced to stay at a base in Tijuana, Mexico, only entering the U.S. shortly before their scheduled games. Ghalenoei argued that these unfair restrictions severely hindered his players’ physical and mental preparation.
“The host country treated us very unfairly,” Ghalenoei told reporters after the game. He insisted that if his team had been allowed to arrive two weeks earlier, they would have been in much better shape. The coach expressed his frustration directly to FIFA, urging them to prevent future host nations from imposing such restrictive conditions on competing teams.
The situation was further compounded by the fact that the team had to fly back to Mexico immediately after the match to comply with the rules. This schedule left the squad exhausted and delayed their recovery process as they waited to see if they would advance to the knockout stages. Despite these challenges, Ghalenoei praised his team’s dedication to their goal. He remains hopeful for their progress, promising that if they do advance, he will ensure his players get the proper rest and relaxation they deserve
