Newly surfaced footage captures an intensely awkward interaction as FIFA President Gianni Infantino visited Iran’s World Cup team following their opening match. In an unexpected moment, Infantino jested about joining the team for their upcoming game.
The Iranian players are navigating a demanding schedule throughout the tournament, necessitating frequent flights between their base in Tijuana, Mexico, and the United States. This logistical challenge arises from restrictions preventing them from staying long-term on U.S. soil.
Their participation in the tournament has ignited significant controversy due to the ongoing tensions between Iran and the United States. Nonetheless, Infantino made a stop in Los Angeles to uplift the team’s morale after their 2-2 draw against New Zealand.
“Tonight was a tough game… with a bit more luck, you win,” Infantino remarked, using a translator to convey his message. “But you demonstrated to your families, your friends, your people, and the world that you are here at the World Cup, performing. With two more games ahead, you’ll make everyone proud.”
He continued, “In these next matches, you will make the world proud of your efforts. Thank you for being here. It’s an emotional experience. I understand the challenges you face, but you are stronger than any obstacle.”
‘And you send a strong message to the entire world. Like tonight, you united the whole stadium here. Behind you, you are showing the whole world and sending such a strong message, so thank you.’
Gianni Infantino entered the Iran locker room to address the players at the World Cup
The players did not seem overly enthralled while listening to the FIFA president’s speech
Infantino’s reference to the team having ‘two games’ left was potentially confusing, given the team could have more games should they qualify for the knockout stages.
Clearly, though, the FIFA president doesn’t have overly high hopes of that happening, given he then joked: ‘If coach needs an attacker, I’ll come for the next match to play with you.’
The joke didn’t go down well in the locker room – though that may have been in part due to the language barrier – and he was met with silence.
Infantino’s reference to himself playing for the team comes amid comments from the manager, Amir Ghalenoei, hinting that his players are exhausted given the logistical nightmare they are facing during the tournament.
He called his team ‘the most oppressed in the World Cup’, and revealed they were being immediately sent back to Tijuana after the game in LA on Monday.
The initial plan was for the team to stay in California to recover, before returning to base camp on Tuesday, but it is understood they were made to travel earlier than expected.
A few hours later, Iran’s players were pictured arriving back at their base in Tijuana, Mexico
Captain Mehdi Taremi was one of two members of the team held up at the US border
‘They didn’t even give us time to recover after the game today,’ Ghalenoei said in Farsi. ‘They said to us, you have to leave immediately, whereas today, it’s very important for us to have time for recovery, but yet [we] have been asked to get on a plane and return to our camp in Mexico, in Tijuana, and we are really troubled by that.’
Remarkably, reports later emerged that two of the team’s star players were caught up in drama at the US border as they tried to return to Mexico.
Per RMC Sport, Mehdi Taremi – perhaps the most well-known of the Iranian team – was one, while Saeed Al-Hawie – a member of the coaching staff – was another.
It was reported that the rest of the group had to wait on the plane while the ‘complications’ were ironed out inside the airport terminal.
Manager Ghalenoei had earlier hinted that the substitution of his star player Taremi was due to cramps he was suffering, not helped by the brutal travel conditions facing the team.
‘The fact that they delayed our arrivals, they are forcing us to go back early without time for recovery, they are making the situation more and more difficult, facing us with more hurdles,’ he added. ‘We’re not gonna let that stop us from doing our best.’
Armed guards surround the perimeter of Iran’s hotel in Tijuana ahead of their return to base
Mohammad Mohebbi celebrates after scoring against New Zealand in Los Angeles
Infantino, meanwhile, is reportedly planning to use a free private jet to attend two games a day as much as possible for the rest of the tournament.
The Guardian reports that Infantino, who has been an ever-present during the tournament so far, has access to a plane provided by Qatar Airways, as part of their sponsorship deal with FIFA.
The president attended the opening game of the World Cup in Mexico City on Thursday afternoon, and was then present in Guadalajara just a few hours later for South Korea-Czechia.
The following day, he was in LA for the USA’s opener, and on Saturday he was seen in both San Francisco and Vancouver for Qatar vs Switzerland and Australia vs Turkey respectively.
On Sunday, he jetted to Miami for a FIFA summit, and was then back in LA for Iran’s opening game against New Zealand on Monday night.
Infantino is using a free private jet in an attempt to attend two games a day at the World Cup
Iran’s team lines up for a photo ahead of their controversial appearance at the World Cup
The Guardian reports that Infantino will travel the furthest of anyone involved in the tournament, which the New Weather Institute describes as the ‘most polluting event ever’.
Back in the Iran locker room on Monday night, Infantino finished his rousing speech by telling the players: ‘This is just the beginning of the World Cup. You are writing history. The whole world is watching you.
‘Continue to play with your hearts, for your people, for your families, for your friends, and for everyone in the world, that is falling in love with Team Melli.
‘Let’s go… you are stronger than everything, huh. You are stronger than everything. Come on.’