Iran allege US discrimination as squad base in Mexico before 2026 World Cup | OneFootball

Iran arrived in Tijuana on Sunday, four days before the World Cup, alleging discriminatory treatment by the US after restrictions imposed by the Donald Trump presidential administration prevented entry for some squad members, according to El Periódico Mediterráneo.

Despite all group matches being staged in the US, the team will be based in Mexico. Their fixtures are in Los Angeles and Seattle, with the opener against New Zealand on Tuesday 16.

Head coach Amir Ghalenoei said the squad should have landed last week, arguing a 12 hour time difference needs roughly two weeks for proper adaptation. He added that ethical and human considerations should come before technical matters, which he felt had not been respected.

The team complained of poor treatment from US authorities. Ghalenoei said they were upset and believed such a situation had not happened before, adding that Iran had endured two wars imposed on the country in the past year.

Captain Ehsan Hajsafi said the side are 100% ready. Iran’s embassy described the episode as deliberate and discriminatory treatment of the national team.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo