Iran will return to the United States to take on Belgium in the World Cup just days after being told to leave the country. Amir Ghalenoei's side have been preparing for the Red Devils at their training camp in Mexico following a hard-fought 2-2 draw with New Zealand.
Team Ordered to Leave Immediately After Draw
The national team were plunged into turmoil when they were compelled to depart the United States immediately after their opening group-stage fixture. Ghalenoei disclosed that the Iran squad were afforded minimal time to recover from the gruelling draw before being instructed to head back to their training base in Mexico.
The nation's involvement in the World Cup has been dogged by logistical and political complications, including its relocation from Arizona to Tijuana, Mexico, shortly before the tournament commenced. Addressing the turmoil the team has encountered, the manager said: "They didn't even give us time to recover. After the game today, they said to us, 'You have to leave immediately.' It's very important for us to have time for recovery, but we are asked to get on a plane and return to our camp in Tijuana, and we are really troubled by that."
Players Speak Out About Treatment
Several members of the squad were also reportedly refused entry into the USA, but they have now completed the 136-mile trip from Tijuana to Los Angeles to face Belgium. It remains uncertain whether the national side will once again be forced to head back to Mexico ahead of their final group fixture against Egypt at Seattle Stadium next weekend.
A number of players have spoken out about the poor treatment they have encountered, with Iran striker Mehdi Taremi branding the situation a "disaster." He said: "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 Los Angeles again. But now, right now, we have to go back. We don't have our media, we don't have our president of the federation, we don't have the vice-president and some staff also, which is so important for us. Everything is a disaster, actually, for us."
Mohammad Mohebi, who scored the equaliser for Iran against New Zealand, also had his say, adding: "We need fair competition. I think we were meant to come here two days before the game. Yesterday we came, and we arrived in the afternoon. We went training and we get tired. I think we were supposed to be here two days before the game, and these kind of things are not fair."
Team Resolute Despite Hurdles
Ghalenoei emphasized the team's determination despite the obstacles: "They delayed our arrivals, and they are forcing us to go back early without time for recovery. They are making the situation more and more difficult, facing us with more hurdles, but we're not going to let that stop us from doing our best."
