Team Melli Ordered Back to Tijuana After World Cup Opener
Team Melli’s World Cup opener ended with a dramatic draw on the field and renewed frustration over travel arrangements off it.
Iran opened its 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign with a 2-2 draw against New Zealand in Los Angeles, but the post-match focus quickly shifted to the team’s travel situation.
Head coach Amir Ghalenoei said Iran had expected to remain in California overnight for recovery before returning to its base camp in Tijuana, Mexico, but was instead told to leave the United States immediately after the match.
Ghalenoei said the quick turnaround left the team without proper recovery time and described the situation as difficult for the players and staff.
Captain Mehdi Taremi also said the sudden return would affect the team’s rhythm, explaining that the original plan had been to recover the next morning before flying back to Tijuana.
U.S. officials said the immediate return to Mexico had been part of the agreed travel plan, while Iranian players and coaches suggested they had expected a different schedule.
The dispute adds another layer to Iran’s already complicated World Cup campaign, which has included visa issues, staff restrictions, and the relocation of the team’s base camp from Arizona to Mexico.
Despite the logistical challenges, Taremi praised the atmosphere at the match and said the support inside the stadium made it feel like a home game for Team Melli.
Iran will remain based in Tijuana before returning to Los Angeles for its second Group G match against Belgium, followed by a final group-stage match against Egypt in Seattle.