Iran complain over World Cup conditions as Amir Ghalenoei says team most mistreated | OneFootball

Iran complained about the conditions under which they are playing the World Cup, with head coach Amir Ghalenoei saying his side were the most mistreated team, after a 2-2 draw with New Zealand in Los Angeles.

According to L'Équipe, the team are based in Mexico despite all group fixtures being staged in the USA owing to strained geopolitical relations, and they were only able to reach California on the eve of the game and could not stay on afterwards.

The 2-2 draw at SoFi Stadium marked Iran's group-stage opener.

Forward Mehdi Taremi said the schedule and limited support had placed heavy stress on players, felt FIFA could have handled matters better, and explained they had to return to their Tijuana base that night. He added they were tired of the situation and wanted peace and joy, which he described as FIFA slogans.

Iran are due back in Los Angeles to face Belgium on Sunday at 21:00, then travel to Seattle to meet Egypt on 27 June at 05:00. The team will be permitted to enter the USA only two days before each match.

Source: L'Équipe