Iran coach says squad forced to leave US hours after World Cup opener

Iran national team head coach Amir Ghalenoei said the squad was ordered to leave the United States within hours of opening their 2026 World Cup campaign with a 2-2 draw against New Zealand, returning instead to their training camp in Mexico. Ghalenoei said the team had been scheduled to stay overnight in California for routine post-match recovery, but were told to head to the airport and fly back to Tijuana. He did not say who issued the order, adding that the squad was given insufficient rest and that the decision had caused serious problems. He added that the team did not know the reason for being sent back and that the calls were made by parties outside the squad. Iran had already competed in the tournament under the shadow of a war that began on February 28. FIFA had rejected a request from the Iranian Football Federation to move the group-stage matches outside the United States. Iran will face Belgium in their second Group match on Sunday at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.