Iran coach says team ordered to leave U.S. after first World Cup match
Yahoo Sports • 2 min read • Latest: Jun 16, 2026, 5:33 AM
Last updated Jun 16, 2026
Iran's World Cup team coach Amir Ghalenoei announced the team was ordered to return to Mexico just hours after their 2-2 draw against New Zealand. This decision disrupted their recovery plans following the politically charged match, where Iran came back twice to tie. The team faced significant logistical challenges leading up to the tournament due to visa issues affecting vital staff members. The coach expressed concerns about player preparedness, citing cramps during the match attributed to travel complications. Iran is scheduled to play Belgium and Egypt in the group stage, with their strategies closely monitored due to ongoing political tensions.
- •Iran drew 2-2 with New Zealand in their opener.
- •Coach Ghalenoei cited issues with recovery time.
- •The team faced travel hardships due to visa denials.
- •Iran's next matches are against Belgium and Egypt.
- •Political tensions surround the team's World Cup participation.
- 9:37 PMYahoo Sports — US official says Iran knew team would have to leave the country shortly after World Cup match
- 12:57 PMThe Hill — Iran World Cup team ordered out of US right after opener, coach says - The Hill
- 5:33 AMYahoo Sports — Iran World Cup team coach says it was booted from U.S. right after first match
- 5:33 AMCBS News — Iran World Cup team coach says it was ordered out of U.S. right after first match - CBS News
- 5:07 AMAssociated Press — Iran opens a politically charged World Cup by playing to a 2-2 draw with New Zealand - AP News
"The U.S. is pushing back on complaints from Iran's national team that it was forced to leave the country immediately after its first World Cup match instead of having a day to recover in a hotel, saying that was the plan for the team all along. “We were clear this was the process,” Andrew Giuliani, the executive director of the White House FIFA Task Force, told The Associated Press on Tuesday. Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei said after Monday's night's 2-2 draw with New Zealand that the team had been ordered to leave the U.S. and return to its training base in Mexico only a few hours later.
"The coach of the Iranian soccer team said that his team had to leave the U.S. shortly after its 2-2 draw against New Zealand to open the FIFA World Cup. Amir Ghalenoei said that officials did not give his team time to “recover” from the match before ordering …
"The coach of Iran’s World Cup team says it was ordered to leave the U.S. and return to its training base in Mexico only a few hours after opening its politically charged tournament by playing to a 2-2 draw with New Zealand. Coach Amir Ghalenoei didn’t say who…
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsJun 16, 2026, 9:37 PMUS official says Iran knew team would have to leave the country shortly after World Cup match
The U.S. is pushing back on complaints from Iran's national team that it was forced to leave the country immediately after its first World Cup match instead of having a day to recover in a hotel, saying that was the plan for the team all along. “We were clear this was the process,” Andrew Giuliani, the executive director of the White House FIFA Task Force, told The Associated Press on Tuesday. Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei said after Monday's night's 2-2 draw with New Zealand that the team had been ordered to leave the U.S. and return to its training base in Mexico only a few hours later.
- The HillJun 16, 2026, 12:57 PMIran World Cup team ordered out of US right after opener, coach says - The Hill
The coach of the Iranian soccer team said that his team had to leave the U.S. shortly after its 2-2 draw against New Zealand to open the FIFA World Cup. Amir Ghalenoei said that officials did not give his team time to “recover” from the match before ordering …
- Yahoo SportsJun 16, 2026, 5:33 AMIran World Cup team coach says it was booted from U.S. right after first match
Iran's World Cup team coach says it was ordered to leave the U.S. and return to its training base in Mexico only a few hours after opening its politically charged tournament with a draw.
- CBS NewsJun 16, 2026, 5:33 AMIran World Cup team coach says it was ordered out of U.S. right after first match - CBS News
Iran's World Cup team coach says it was ordered to leave the U.S. and return to its training base in Mexico only a few hours after opening its politically charged tournament with a draw.
- Associated PressJun 16, 2026, 5:07 AMIran opens a politically charged World Cup by playing to a 2-2 draw with New Zealand - AP News
The coach of Iran’s World Cup team says it was ordered to leave the U.S. and return to its training base in Mexico only a few hours after opening its politically charged tournament by playing to a 2-2 draw with New Zealand. Coach Amir Ghalenoei didn’t say who…
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