Iran’s coach, Amir Ghalenoei, expressed frustration over the travel restrictions imposed on his team by the United States following their 1-1 draw against Egypt in the FIFA World Cup group-stage match in Seattle. The restrictions forced Iran to travel from their base in Tijuana, Mexico, for their group games, with some leniency granted by US officials before the Egypt match. Ghalenoei criticized the treatment, stating that it put his players at a disadvantage and impacted their preparation and performance.
Ghalenoei highlighted the challenges faced by Iran due to the travel circumstances and the diplomatic tensions between Washington and Tehran. He emphasized the need for fair treatment of teams by host nations in future World Cup events. Despite the obstacles, he commended his team’s dedication and emphasized their goal of training and performing well in the tournament.
Following the match, Iran had to return immediately to Tijuana, further delaying their recovery and awaiting confirmation of their knockout-stage fate. Ghalenoei expressed his disappointment at the situation but remained hopeful for the team’s progress in the competition. He emphasized the importance of proper recovery and relaxation for the players in preparation for upcoming matches.
