Iranian football star Mehdi Taremi has openly criticized FIFA, stating that tensions have surrounded the national team since their arrival in the United States for their much-anticipated World Cup debut.
Iran is set to face New Zealand in Los Angeles on Monday, a match that unfolds amid ongoing conflict with the United States.
The lead-up to the tournament has been fraught with disruptions and uncertainties about Iran’s participation, including visa denials for some members of the Iranian delegation. President Donald Trump previously expressed his doubts, stating, “I really don’t believe it is appropriate that they be there, for their own life and safety.”
Originally based in Arizona, the Iranian team had to relocate to Mexico at the last minute. They flew from Tijuana to Los Angeles on Sunday, just before a peace agreement was announced. This marks the first occasion that a World Cup host nation welcomes a team from a country it is in conflict with.
Undermining PeaceÂ
Upon their arrival at Los Angeles International Airport, the Iranian team was escorted to their hotel under tight security, including police, drones, and surveillance systems. The hotel, situated 15 minutes from the airport, saw heightened security measures with at least one person being escorted away by police at the entrance.
Players faced demonstrations at their hotel and their open training session, with up to 35,000 protestors said to be planning to protest at SoFi Stadium on Monday night. Los Angeles has the biggest Iranian diaspora outside of Iran, with many conflicted over supporting the national team amid its alleged links to the country’s political regime.
During a pre-game press conference on Sunday, Taremi suggested the chaos engulfing Iran ‘undermines’ FIFA’s message that soccer ‘brings peace.’ Minutes later, FIFA officials attempted to shut down a question as the build-up to the game descended into more chaos.
‘I have felt the tension since the moment we arrived,’ Taremi said. ‘It’s not just Iran that have been impacted, others including referees have been impacted. I have felt the tensions as soon as I arrived.
Banned Flags and Game-Halt ThreatsÂ
‘Of course I don’t have the same beautiful experience [of his two previous World Cups in 2018 and 2022]. We talk about peace, joy, of course we don’t have the same experience.’
He continued: ‘Of course we have had problems but even before we arrived the sensation people had of looking forward to a World Cup they have not had the same feeling.
‘This kind of tension undermines that joy and it undermines the message of FIFA and our people which is football brings about peace. That is how I have felt.Â
‘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 at the World Cup, whoever they are supporting.’
FIFA has banned pre-revolutionary Iranian flags – featuring a lion and sun emblem – from games, with the Iranian regime threatening to halt games if unauthorized flags are displayed or the team is targeted by slogans from the stands.
During a pre-game press conference on Friday, a journalist attempted to ask Ghalenoei whether that would be a decision for the coach or the players, only for a FIFA official to interject.
Ignoring the Chaos in the StandsÂ
The governing body had begun the press conference by insisting questions had to be focused on the game, rather than politics.
Despite the official’s attempt to shut down the question, Ghalenoei insisted his and his players’ focus would not be on what is going on in the stands.
‘We are here to perform a good match –Â a high-quality match,’ he said. ‘We don’t pay any attention to the hype or what’s going on around us.’
The ‘Tehrangeles’ area of LA is filled with families of untold thousands who fled the country after the Islamic Revolution in the late 1970s.Â
Amid warnings of protests, Taremi said: ‘We play for every Iranian, be it in the diaspora or in Iran… 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.’
Around a dozen members of Iran’s delegation have reportedly been banned from the United States, including the president of the country’s soccer federation.
A Proud Nation on the World StageÂ
USÂ officials said visas had been issued to all players and ‘necessary support staff’ but that Iran could not ‘abuse this system to sneak terrorists into the United States under false pretenses.’
Sunday’s press conference began with a statement from head coach Ghalenoei, who said: ‘I am very happy to be representing the great and proud and strong nation of Iran.
‘I’m glad we’re all here from my country and I hope that football will bring about joy and enjoyment and it will bring closer the cultures and countries. I hope the World Cup will go well despite the travel problems we have had. I hope it will not affect the quality of our play.’
The US attacked Iran back in February, with the initial missile strikes killing its Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The war has slowed and resumed several times since then, with President Trump even announcing a peace deal earlier Sunday.Â
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