Iran head coach Amir Ghalenoei has accused World Cup co-host the United States of treating his team "very unfairly", saying logistical restrictions have disrupted the team's tournament.
"It was the host that wasn't very good to us," Ghalenoei said. "I urge FIFA to not let the hosts treat teams and players the same way in the future."
Speaking after Iran's 1-1 draw against Egypt in Seattle on Friday, Ghalenoei urged FIFA President Gianni Infantino to ensure future hosts do not subject teams to similar treatment.
The team has been based in Tijuana, Mexico, and required to travel back after each match, rather than remain in the United States. Ghalenoei said the repeated journeys had hindered the squad's preparation and recovery.
Captain Mehdi Taremi echoed those concerns, calling it a "disaster World Cup" because of the conditions surrounding the team's participation. He also said some members of Iran's support staff were denied US visas and highlighted the absence of Iranian media at matches.
"Their behavior towards us has been really terrible," Ghalenoei said. "Despite all of these problems, we've been able to perform well. I think that's our greatest achievement despite all the obstacles they put in our way."
Iran returned to Tijuana after Friday's match, leaving behind a handwritten note thanking Seattle for its hospitality and Iranian supporters for their backing.
The U.S. will impose unprecedented measures on Iran in order to economically isolate the country, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has said...
Georgia could gain a direct electricity link to Europe under plans for a new overland energy corridor connecting Azerbaijan, Georgia, Türkiye ...
Türkiye has unveiled plans for joint military exercises and defence production with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan under a new security pact that i...
Flights at Catania airport in Sicily will remain suspended until early Friday as ash from Mount Etna continues to disrupt air travel, following hundreds of cancellations and diversions over the past week.
Hundreds of flights have been cancelled or rerouted at Catania Airport over the past week as ash from Mount Etna’s ongoing eruption continues to disrupt air travel in Sicily.
Iran says the Strait of Hormuz remains under its control, rejecting U.S. President Donald Trump’s claim of “total control” over the strategic waterway and insisting it will not reopen until Washington fulfils its commitments under an interim deal.
The U.S. will impose unprecedented measures on Iran in order to economically isolate the country, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has said.
Iran and the United States remain at loggerheads over efforts to agree a permanent end to the war in the Gulf, according to a senior Iranian source who said there had been no progress in talks to revive the interim deal agreed in June and define a timeframe to implement it.
Iran and Afghanistan are seeking closer cooperation in agriculture, livestock and irrigation during a three-day Iranian ministerial visit to Kabul, as both sides look to strengthen trade and rural economies.
At least 437 civilians were killed and 2,610 injured in Ukraine in July, according to UN investigators, marking the highest monthly civilian casualty toll since March 2022.
Record rainfall in Japan killed eight people and stranded thousands of travellers at Tokyo's Narita Airport on Friday, as flooding disrupted transport and cut power to 20,000 homes.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 14th of August, covering the latest developments.
Ukraine’s attacks on Russian ports, refineries and shipping infrastructure are putting Moscow’s energy exports under growing pressure and disrupting key trade routes, raising concerns over commercial shipping and global food supplies.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment