A senior member of FIFA's council has criticized the treatment of Iran at this summer's World Cup, with the team's build-up to the finals profoundly impacted by the conflict with the United States and Israel. The squad has been forced to move their training camp to Mexico and several backroom staff members have been denied visas.
Disruption to Iran's World Cup Campaign
Other countries have also faced travel restrictions, preventing supporters from Senegal and the Ivory Coast from attending, while a Somali referee, Omar Artan, was denied entry. Despite these challenges, Iran managed to secure a 2-2 draw against New Zealand in their opening match.
A FIFA council member, speaking on condition of anonymity, told The Observer: “How can Iran be expected to compete under the conditions they have been given, in which they have to come from Mexico and have to leave the United States within hours of playing every match? Every team is supposed to compete under the same conditions. How can they prepare properly for the matches they have to play? This is not fair at all.”
The council member added: “This situation is not acceptable. We need to be stronger about these issues. But I understand the political environment in which this World Cup is being organised, which makes things very difficult to manage.”
Coaches and Players Voice Frustration
Iran head coach Amir Ghalenoei expressed frustration after the draw, stating: “After the game, they said to us ‘You have to leave immediately’, whereas it’s very important for us to have recovery. They are making the situation more and more difficult… We were supposed to arrive two nights before the game, but they didn’t permit it. Our team is the most oppressed one in the whole World Cup.”
Forward Mehdi Taremi also voiced his displeasure, saying: “FIFA told us you have to go because it's our preparation. It's supposed to be tomorrow morning recovery, then we fly to Tijuana, then return to LA again. But now, right now, we have to go back. We don't have our media, we don't have our president of federation, we don't have vice president, and no one, some staff also, which is so important for us. Everything is a disaster for us.”
Despite the setbacks, Taremi remained hopeful: “We're just looking forward, we're having hope for the next two games, and we will do our best for our people, and we bring the joy for our supporters.”
