Iran coach and Taremi criticize US handling before World Cup opener
Amir Ghalenoei and Mehdi Taremi said travel restrictions and logistics have undercut Iran’s World Cup experience in the United States.
By Daniel Okafor · Business Editor
3 min read
Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei and striker Mehdi Taremi criticized the United States’ handling of Team Melli’s arrival for the World Cup, saying travel limits and logistics have weighed on the team before its opening match. Their comments came at a Los Angeles news conference ahead of Iran’s game against New Zealand, Al Jazeera reported.
Al Jazeera reported that FIFA officials asked reporters before Sunday’s briefing to keep questions focused on football and tactics. The session instead turned quickly to the political and travel issues surrounding Iran’s participation in a tournament hosted in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Ghalenoei said the US role in organizing Iran’s stay, including the decision not to host the team’s base camp in the country, had made the tournament harder for his squad. “This kind of behaviour will negatively impact the spirit of football,” he told reporters, according to Al Jazeera. “Whether we win, whether we lose, this is a difficult feeling.”
Taremi, identified by Al Jazeera as a former Inter Milan striker, said US travel restrictions had affected the usual sense of celebration around the World Cup. He pointed to the reported denial of entry to Somali referee Omar Artan as an example of problems extending beyond Iran.
“We don’t have the same beautiful experience we always talk about – the peace, the joy,” Taremi said, according to Al Jazeera. He said the tensions had weakened “the message of FIFA.”
Training base in Mexico
Iran is scheduled to play its group games against New Zealand, Belgium and Egypt on the US West Coast, Al Jazeera reported. Ghalenoei confirmed that the team would go back to Mexico after Monday’s match, reflecting an arrangement under which Iran trains across the border and travels into the United States for games.
Al Jazeera reported that Iran’s participation had been uncertain earlier in the year after the United States and Israel attacked Iran, and Tehran responded with strikes on Israel and US forces in the Middle East. In March, US President Donald Trump said Iran’s national team was welcome at the World Cup but added that he did not believe it was appropriate for the team to be in the United States because of concerns over its safety.
Iranian officials had also raised doubts about whether the team would take part, according to Al Jazeera. The eventual compromise allowed Team Melli to compete while keeping its training base outside the United States.
The team also faces planned demonstrations by Iranian opposition activists in Los Angeles, Al Jazeera reported. Ghalenoei and Taremi both said Iran’s players were trying to represent Iranians inside the country and abroad.
“We are here to play football, and football can always unite all factions,” Taremi said, according to Al Jazeera. Ghalenoei said he was pleased to represent Iran and hoped football could bring joy and bring countries and cultures closer despite the travel problems.
On the field, Iran entered the tournament in strong form, Al Jazeera reported. The team qualified early, finished atop its Asian qualifying group and lost only once in 10 qualifiers, with two draws. It also won several recent friendly matches before arriving for the World Cup.
The news conference ended with little discussion of tactics. Taremi noted that reporters had not asked football-related questions and said Iran respected New Zealand and hoped for a good match, according to Al Jazeera.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.