Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei mentioned Saturday (June 20, 2026) he has been instructed US journey restrictions on his World Cup workforce will lastly be eased for his or her third group sport, however blasted the remedy they’ve obtained up to now for damaging their on-field efficiency.
The Iranian squad arrived on the World Cup with their nation nonetheless at conflict with co-hosts america, and have been primarily based in Mexico whereas enjoying all their video games within the U.S.
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That has required frequent cross-border journey, and U.S. authorities have solely permitted the workforce to stay within the nation for a number of hours after every sport, with restrictions continuously shifting last-minute.
After enjoying Belgium in Los Angeles on Sunday (June 21, 2026), Iran’s closing group sport will happen in Seattle subsequent Friday (June 26, 2026) towards Egypt.
Ghalenoei on Saturday (June 20, 2026) mentioned he had been instructed his workforce could have extra flexibility for his or her closing match, earlier than rapidly including that it might have been “justice” for his workforce to have the identical remedy for its first two video games.
“They mentioned in Seattle, you are able to do what you need, you possibly can act the way in which you wish to, and you may come earlier,” he instructed a press convention, with out specifying who precisely the knowledge had come from.
“However what I need, my downside is, why didn’t they allow us to come earlier for the primary two video games as effectively?
“I simply know for the final sport, sure, they’ve allowed us to resolve, to make our personal choices close to planning the journey.
“However sadly, for the primary two video games, others made these journey preparations for us, and the timing for us.”
Final week Iran drew 2-2 with New Zealand, the event’s lowest-ranked workforce, with sloppy defending twice permitting the All Whites to go forward earlier than Workforce Melli equalized.
“There have been errors, particular person ones, and in addition close to this protection we had, and I feel we had been enjoying… we had been doing too many passes,” mentioned Ghalenoei.
“And I feel, as a result of now we have been flying an excessive amount of, commuting, because of this lengthy commute, we’ve been drained.”
The supervisor mentioned restrictions on his workforce had been much more onerous for Sunday’s (June 21, 2026) upcoming sport towards Belgium, Group G’s highest-ranked workforce.
Ghalenoei mentioned his workforce had arrived within the U.S. on Saturday (June 20, 2026) lower than 24 hours earlier than kickoff, regardless of being briefly instructed by FIFA on Friday early afternoon that they can journey that day.
“We waited until 7.00pm, nothing occurred, they usually mentioned, ‘Sorry, we weren’t in a position to do this,” mentioned the coach.
“That’s going to have an effect on us mentally, particularly me as a head coach, as a result of I wish to give attention to technical stuff,” he mentioned.
Iran had solely been in a position to do half its ordinary pre-game coaching session, complained Ghalenoei.
All 4 groups in Group G at the moment have one level, with solely the highest two assured to achieve the knockout levels. A majority of third-placed groups throughout all teams may even progress, relying on their efficiency.
Printed – June 21, 2026 08:50 am IST
