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Iran's World Cup coach, Amir Ghalenoei, voiced strong criticism regarding the treatment his team is receiving from the host nation, the United States. Ghalenoei asserted that the US has imposed unfair travel restrictions and visa denials, which he believes are detrimental to his team's preparation and morale.

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I know that this kind of behavior has hurt our people. Even if we spent billions of dollars, we would not be able to have justice for our people. It just shows we are an oppressed country.

"I know that this kind of behavior has hurt our people," Ghalenoei said through an interpreter, adding that the situation makes Iran appear as an "oppressed country." Despite these grievances, he expressed optimism that FIFA would persuade the Americans to relax some of the strictures. He also highlighted the support of the Iranian nation and dedicated their play to "our martyrs in Iran."

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We needed to have 24 hours (in Los Angeles), but they gave us less than 16 hours, and that is why we had to leave our training halfway.

The coach detailed how the team's training schedule has been disrupted. Iran returned to the Los Angeles area for their second match against Belgium but had their request to travel on Friday denied, forcing them to cut their training short. "We needed to have 24 hours (in Los Angeles), but they gave us less than 16 hours, and that is why we had to leave our training halfway," Ghalenoei explained. He appealed to other coaches at the World Cup to speak out against the treatment, stating, "We are here for football, not politics."

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We are here for football, not politics, and we are saying that again. Our grievances are to the way they’ve behaved with us.

Iran's team, known as Team Melli, is operating under US-imposed travel restrictions that mandate flying to matches on the day before the game and returning immediately to their base in Tijuana, Mexico. While this schedule is not unusual for some teams, Ghalenoei finds it restrictive. Midfielder Saeid Ezatolahi echoed these sentiments, noting that other teams can focus on planning while Iran spends significant time commuting. Ghalenoei praised FIFA President Gianni Infantino for his efforts to ease the restrictions and hopes the US will allow the team to travel to Seattle two days in advance of their final group match.

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You cannot deny that our situation hasn’t been the same as all the other teams.