politics
Iran World Cup Team Ordered to Leave U.S. Hours After First Match
Iran's national soccer team was directed to depart the United States and return to its training base in Mexico shortly after its opening World Cup match. The order came hours after a 2-2 draw against New Zealand at Los Angeles Stadium on Monday.
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Iran's national soccer team was ordered to leave the United States and return to its training base in Mexico only hours after completing its opening match against New Zealand. The squad arrived in the United States on Sunday from its training camp in Mexico. It played to a 2-2 draw at Los Angeles Stadium on Monday.
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The team's coach told reporters the squad had intended to remain in California overnight as part of its recovery process. Instead, the players were directed to depart immediately after the final whistle. He said the team was not given time to recover and described himself as really troubled by the order.
The coach did not identify who issued the directive. It remains unclear whether the instruction came from FIFA, a U.S. tournament official, or U.S. government officials.
An Iranian player who scored in the match said the team had expected to arrive in Los Angeles two days before the game but was delayed. The squad reached the city on Sunday afternoon and went straight to training, leaving players tired. He added that the arrangement was not fair.
Another player who scored said training in Mexico while playing in Los Angeles created significant difficulties. He thanked people in Mexico for their hospitality but noted the team was unhappy with the result.
Infantino addressed the Iranian players in their locker room after the match. A video clip shared by an Iranian state media reporter showed him saying he understood the challenges the team faced. He told the players they were stronger than everything and had sent a strong message to the world.
