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Iran stars return to US for second World Cup game after visa and travel nightmare

Iran will head back to the United States to face Belgium in the World Cup just days after being ordered to leave the country. Amir Ghalenoei's side have been busy preparing for the Red Devils at their training base in Mexico following a hard-fought 2-2 draw with New Zealand.

However, the national team were thrown into chaos when they were forced to depart the United States immediately after their opening group-stage match.

Ghalenoei revealed that the Iran squad were given minimal time to recover from the grueling draw before being directed to return to their training base in Mexico.

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The team's participation in the World Cup has been plagued by logistical and political complications, including their relocation from Arizona to Tijuana, Mexico, shortly before the tournament got underway. Addressing the difficulties the team has faced, the manager said: "They didn't even give us time to recover.

Players of Iran participate in a practice session ahead of Iran’s second 2026 FIFA World Cup match against Belgium in the United States, at the Xoloitzcuintle Center on June 19, 2026, in Tijuana, Mexico. (Photo by Francisco Vega/Getty Images)

"After the game today, they said to us, 'You have to leave immediately.' It's very important for us to have time for recovery, but we are asked to get on a plane and return to our camp in Tijuana, and we are really troubled by that.

"They delayed our arrivals, and 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, but we're not going to let that stop us from doing our best.", reports the Mirror.

Several squad members were also reportedly denied entry into the USA, but have since completed the 136-mile journey from Tijuana to Los Angeles ahead of their clash with Belgium.

It remains unclear whether the national team will once again be required to return to Mexico before their final group game against Egypt at Seattle Stadium next weekend.

A number of players have voiced their frustration over the poor treatment they have experienced, with Iran striker Mehdi Taremi describing the situation as a "disaster."

Amir Ghalehnoy, Head Coach of IR Iran, and coaching staffs of IR Iran line up for the national anthem before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group G match between IR Iran and New Zealand at Los Angeles Stadium on June 15, 2026 in Inglewood, California.

He said: "FIFA told us you have to go because it's our preparation. It's supposed to be tomorrow morning recovery, then we fly to Tijuana, then return to Los Angeles again.

"But now, right now, we have to go back. We don't have our media, we don't have our president of the federation, we don't have the vice-president and some staff also, which is so important for us. Everything is a disaster, actually, for us.

"It's not the right thing for us, but we don't follow the excuse. We're just looking forward, we're having hope for the next two games, and we will do our best for our people."

Mohammad Mohebi, who netted the equalizer for Iran against New Zealand, also weighed in, stating: "We need fair competition. I think we were meant to come here two days before the game.

"Yesterday we came, and we arrived in the afternoon. We went training and we get tired. I think we were supposed to be here two days before the game, and these kind of things are not fair."

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