World Cup 2026: Iran coach and star striker say 'We respect all Iranians'

Ahead of Iran's entry into the 2026 World Cup in Los Angeles, national team coach Amir Ghalenoei and star striker Mehdi Taremi have stressed their respect for all Iranians, whether at home or abroad. Ghalenoei declared at a press conference that the team is in the U.S. to play football and that the sport should remain separate from politics.

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I am very happy to be here on behalf of Iran. We are here to play football, with respect for Iranians at home or abroad. Football is separate from politics.

"I know there is a large diaspora in Los Angeles, I am happy they are coming to see us, I hope they will pray for us, I hope they will encourage us and I hope we will reward them with a good match," added the coach. However, a significant portion of the Iranian diaspora in California views the national team as a propaganda tool for the Islamic Republic. These groups have called for protests outside the Los Angeles stadium, planning to wave the pre-revolution Iranian flag featuring a lion and sun.

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I know there is a large diaspora in Los Angeles, I am happy they are coming to see us, I hope they will pray for us, I hope they will encourage us and I hope we will reward them with a good match.

Iran's participation in the World Cup was uncertain for a time due to geopolitical tensions. The team recently relocated its base camp from Arizona to Tijuana, Mexico, after the U.S. administration denied visas to about fifteen staff members. Arriving in Los Angeles with a slight delay from Tijuana, the team acknowledged these logistical issues have affected their preparation. Ghalenoei noted the impact during a press briefing that began with a FIFA mediator's request to focus questions on football.

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We are here for football, not politics.

Striker Mehdi Taremi expressed his desire to "make all Iranians around the world happy" and believes football can unify the country. "Everyone can have their own opinion, but we are here for football, not politics," Taremi stated. He also pointed out that Iran is not the only nation to have faced administrative hurdles, citing the case of a Somali referee denied entry to the U.S.

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Everyone can have their own opinion, but we are here for football, not politics.