Racing
League
Rugby
Football
Cricket
Golf
Olympics
Motorsport
Netball
Combat Sports
Basketball
Tennis
Other Sports
Sport Nation
FIFA World Cup guide'Tension undermines the joy': Iran speak out before World Cup opener vs All Whites
Greg Beachem •  June 15th, 2026 1:20 pm
Striker and skipper Mehdi Taremi is at his third World Cup for Iran | Photo: AP
Iran captain Mehdi Taremi says his team are having a challenging World Cup experience amid the multifold disruptions created by their nation's war with the US, the tournament's co-host.
The Iranians arrived in the Los Angeles area on Monday (NZ time) from their training base in Tijuana, Mexico - about 225 kilometres from the stadium where they will open group-stage play against New Zealand on Tuesday.
Iran's training camp was relocated from the US 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. ...
Can the All Whites find a scoring touch at FIFA World Cup 2026? | Studs Up
"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 war has slowed and resumed several times since it started on February 28, with President Donald Trump even announcing a peace deal earlier Sunday - one that wasn't addressed at Monday's press conference.
"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, who is playing in his third World Cup.
A team spokesperson said two members of its media relations group were denied US visas for the opening match. Iran and their traveling fans also have faced multiple issues with match tickets.
Questions remain around New Zealand's best XI for FIFA World Cup 2026 opener | Studs Up
"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 ...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 US for their matches.
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 US 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."
Sport Nation is an official radio broadcaster of FIFA World Cup 2026 this June/July - download the app today on Google Play and the App Store.
