Iranian Soccer Coach Says Team ‘Most Oppressed’ in World Cup

Iranian coach Amir Ghalenoei said the team had expected to stay the night in California, but had been ordered to return to Mexico.

A spectator holds an Iranian flag, with the symbol of the Islamic Republic crossed out, before the World Cup soccer match between Iran and New Zealand in Inglewood, Calif., on June 15, 2026. Mark J. Terrill/AP

Iran’s World Cup team coach has described his team as the “most oppressed” in the World Cup and said they had been ordered to leave the United States and return to their training base in Mexico only a few hours after their first game in the tournament on June 15.

Iran drew 2–2 with New Zealand in Inglewood, Calif., and their coach, Amir Ghalenoei, said they had been told to fly back to Mexico rather than stay the night in Los Angeles.