Taremi asks FIFA to back Iran: “It’s all a disaster” | OneFootball

After Iran drew 2-2 with New Zealand in their World Cup 2026 opener, Mehdi Taremi, former FC Porto and Rio Ave striker and captain of the Iranian national team, revealed that his team was instructed to leave the United States just minutes after the final whistle.

Speaking in the mixed zone at pitchside at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, Taremi, who started but was unable to score against the New Zealanders, lamented the impact that the requirement imposed by Donald Trump’s administration to allow the Iranian team into the US during the World Cup — leaving on the same day — has had on the team’s preparation for the tournament, while calling for more support from FIFA.

“It has all been a real disaster for us. We still have some problems, because supposedly we have training tomorrow morning — recovery — and then we leave for Tijuana [where the team is based, in Mexico]. We have to leave Los Angeles right now, and that’s not good for us and it’s not good for football, because at the World Cup you have to prepare properly for the next match. It’s a lot of stress for the players, the coaching staff and everyone. But we don’t have that support and I think FIFA has to help us more than this,” he urged, also reacting to the fact that Gianni Infantino, the organisation’s president, went into Iran’s dressing room after the match with New Zealand: “He just wants to help us. Now it’s the start of the World Cup, and he will help us.”

Asked whether he had a message for US President Donald Trump, Taremi said: “I’m here to play football, my friend. We’re tired of talking about [politics]. If they help us, we’re very grateful for that. If nobody helps us, it doesn’t matter. We just stick together, stand behind one another, and we’ll try our best to win the next two matches.”

Iran are still due to play at least two more matches in the United States, against Belgium and Egypt, who drew 1-1 in the other Group G first-round match of the World Cup.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.