16.06.2026 18:40
At the 2026 World Cup jointly organized by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the Iranian National Team was forced to continue its preparations in Mexico after being denied permission to camp in the US. Iran played its match in the US, but faced a major crisis when US officials requested the team leave the country after the game. FIFA President Infantino reportedly went to the locker room to investigate the situation.
The 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, is witnessing a major diplomatic scandal at its very beginning. The Iranian national team, which was not allowed to camp in the US before the tournament and had to continue its preparations in Mexico, faced a shocking sanction after its first match in the US.
MATCH ENDED, "LEAVE THE COUNTRY" ORDER CAME
Iran, which drew 2-2 with New Zealand in the tournament's opening match in Los Angeles, was shaken by an unexpected crisis immediately after the game. Even though their next match was also in Los Angeles, US authorities ordered the Iranian delegation to immediately leave the country and return to their camp in Mexico.
"WE ARE THE MOST OPPRESSED TEAM IN THE WORLD CUP"
Speaking to the British press about the issue, Iranian National Team Captain Mehdi Taremi described the situation as a complete disaster, saying, "We need to do a recovery training session tomorrow morning, but we have to hastily leave Los Angeles and return to Tijuana (Mexico). This is incredibly stressful for the players and the coaching staff. You cannot prepare for a match like this in a tournament like the World Cup. FIFA needs to support us more."
FIFA PRESIDENT INFANTINO WENT TO THE LOCKER ROOM
Following this diplomatic tension, FIFA President Gianni Infantino went down to the Iranian locker room to assess the situation and show support for the team. Captain Taremi stated that Infantino wanted to help them, saying, "We are at the start of the World Cup, and the president promised us support. We would be grateful if they help. If no one helps, we will stick together and do our best to win our remaining two matches."