sports
Iran World Cup team was ordered out of U.S. right after first match, coach says
Updated on: June 16, 2026 / 7:25 PM EDT / CBS/AP
TL;DR
- Iran's World Cup team was ordered to leave the U.S. and return to Mexico immediately after their opening match against New Zealand.
- Coach Amir Ghalenoei stated the team was given no time to recover and was troubled by the unexplained departure.
- White House official Andrew Giuliani confirmed the policy: the team could enter one day before matches and must leave the evening of the match.
- Player Mehdi Torabi's entry visa had expired but was subsequently renewed.
- The team faced significant travel and security delays entering the U.S. prior to the match.
- Several staff members, including the football federation president, were denied U.S. visas.
- Coach Ghalenoei attributed player cramps during the match to lack of proper preparation time due to diplomatic obstacles.
- Iran drew 2-2 with New Zealand in an exciting match played in front of a largely pro-Iranian crowd in Los Angeles.
- Protests against the Iranian government occurred outside the stadium, with some fans displaying pre-1979 symbols.
- Iran's next matches are against Belgium and Egypt, with all teams in their group having one point after the first round.