Iran head coach Amir Ghalenoei says political tensions and visa issues have disrupted his team’s World Cup preparations, but insists his players remain fully focused on football.
Iran begin their campaign against New Zealand in Los Angeles on Monday, with their arrival overshadowed by diplomatic tensions between Iran and the United States. The US, which has been in military conflict with Iran for months, refused visas for some of Iran’s support staff.
The fixture will mark the first time a World Cup host nation has staged a match involving a country with which it is at war.
Iran’s team bus arrived at training in Carson, near Los Angeles, on Sunday under police motorcycle escort, where a small group of anti-regime protesters had gathered. Larger demonstrations by members of the Iranian diaspora are planned outside the stadium.
Despite the tense backdrop, Ghalenoei said Iran’s focus remains firmly on their Group G opener.
“We are here to perform a good match, a high-quality match. We don’t pay attention to any of the hype and anything that goes on around us,” Ghalenoei said.
“Naturally, all teams have their own problems, and in many countries, many things happen that have nothing to do with football.”
The Iran coach added that his squad is at the World Cup to represent “the respectful people of Iran,” both inside the country and across the diaspora.
“We are not political people. Football is separate from politics,” he said.
The press conference took place shortly after a peace deal between the US and Iran was announced, bringing an “immediate and permanent” end to military operations on all fronts.
Iran’s preparations were also affected by a late change in training base. The team had initially planned to hold camp in the United States before switching to Tijuana, Mexico.
“Our camp was changed twice. First it was in the United States, then we were transferred to Mexico, and of course that impacts us,” Ghalenoei said.
“But we Iranians make opportunities out of hardship.”
Star striker Mehdi Taremi said the wider political tension around the tournament had affected more than just Iran, pointing to visa problems involving others, including Somali referee Omar Artan and many fans.
“It’s not just Iran that has been impacted,” Taremi said.
He added that the tension “undermines the message of FIFA,” which he said should be about football promoting peace and joy.
Iran have never reached the knockout stages of a World Cup. After facing New Zealand, they will also play Belgium and Egypt in Group G.
Outside Iran’s training session, around 25 protesters chanted that the team did not represent the Iranian people.
“They represent the terrorist regime in Iran,” said Satggin Jalali, 47, from Los Angeles.
Sourat Darabi, a 51-year-old doctor from Orange County, also criticised the team’s presence, saying: “This team, they do not belong to the people of Iran.”
