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06/14/26 07:20:00
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06/14 19:19 CDT Iran's World Cup experience is less joyful amid war with host
US, team captain says before debut
Iran's World Cup experience is less joyful amid war with host US, team captain
says before debut
By GREG BEACHAM
AP Sports Writer
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) --- Iran captain Mehdi Taremi says his team is having a
challenging World Cup experience amid the multifold disruptions created by
their nation's war with the U.S., the tournament's co-host.
The Iranians arrived in the Los Angeles area on Sunday from their training base
in Tijuana, Mexico, just over the U.S. border --- about 140 miles (225
kilometers) from the stadium where they will open group-stage play against New
Zealand on Monday night. Iran's training camp was relocated from the U.S. after
the war began, and the Iranian team has endured numerous distractions since
then, including visa problems.
"I have felt the tension from the first moment we arrived at this World Cup,"
Taremi said through an interpreter. "At any tournament when there is tension,
we won't have the same beautiful experience we always talk about with peace and
joy. ... I know it wasn't just us. I know several countries had visa problems
and changes with training camps. Before we arrived, the feeling, the sensation
people always have, how they look forward to the World Cup, I think this time
maybe they haven't had the same feeling."
The U.S. attacked Iran on Feb. 28, and the initial missile strikes killed its
Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The war has slowed and resumed several
times since then, with President Donald Trump even announcing a peace deal
earlier Sunday.
"This kind of tension, it undermines that joy and it undermines the message of
FIFA and our people, which is that football brings about peace," said Taremi,
the 33-year-old Olympiacos striker who is playing in his third World Cup. "I
feel like this World Cup could have provided a better atmosphere than it has,
but I hope in the future it will be better for all fans, whatever team they are
supporting in the World Cup."
Iran initially planned to train in Tucson, Arizona, before the war's outbreak,
but quickly moved to Baja California. FIFA then rejected Iran's desire to play
its group-stage World Cup matches outside the U.S., claiming logistics and
contracts wouldn't allow it.
Iran has been beset with logistical problems since then, including the denial
of visas for certain members of its delegation. A team spokesperson said Sunday
that two members of its media relations group were denied U.S. visas for the
opening match. Iran and its traveling fans also have faced multiple issues with
match tickets.
"Without any doubt, this will impact negatively the spirit of football," Iran
coach Amir Ghalenoei said. "Football is supposed to bring nations and cultures
together. Whether we win, whether we lose, that's a personal feeling we have,
but football as a game is about bringing about joy. These conditions, they have
impacted our technical focus, but I have really tried to make sure that my
players focus on strategy and techniques."
The Iranian team is limited to brief trips into the U.S. for its matches,
flying in the day before the game and reportedly flying out immediately
afterward. Iran plays in Inglewood, California, again next Sunday against
Belgium, before completing the group stage in Seattle against Egypt on June 26.
Without giving details, Taremi said Iran's travel from Tijuana to SoFi Stadium
took roughly five hours, including the very short flight.
"Of course that impacts us," Ghalenoei said. "I would like to thank the good
people of Mexico, but we Iranians, we are accustomed to make opportunities out
of hardship, and we don't think about anything other than bringing joy to
people."
The Los Angeles area likely was picked to host two of Iran's matches in part
because it has the world's largest Iranian population outside Iran. The
so-called Tehrangeles area of the city is filled with the families of untold
thousands who fled the country after the Islamic Revolution in the late 1970s.
Taremi and Ghalenoei are aware that many U.S.-based Iranians will be cheering
against them, given their feelings about the current government, but they
aren't bothered.
"We play for every Iranian, be it in the diaspora or in Iran," Taremi said.
"People have different opinions, but we are here to unite people and we will
try to bring joy to all Iranians wherever they live. We do not get involved in
politics. We are here to play football."
___
AP World Cup coverage: https://apnews.com/fifa-world-cup
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