Iran head coach Amir Ghalenoei has criticised U.S. authorities over inconsistent scheduling of his team’s World Cup training, saying the squad has been left at a significant disadvantage compared to opponents ahead of their Group G matches.
Iran’s World Cup campaign has been complicated by tensions between Iran and the U.S. The team relocated its base to Tijuana, Mexico, from a planned camp in Tucson, Arizona, after several staff members were denied U.S. visas.
Severe restrictions on the squad’s stay in the country have forced them to commute across the border for matches. Speaking Saturday, Ghalenoei said the team had less than 16 hours to prepare before facing Belgium, forcing them to cut training short.
He contrasted this with Belgium’s preparation time, noting their opponents arrived a day in advance and trained properly. Iran had 24 hours to prepare before their 2-2 draw with New Zealand on the opening matchday.
Ghalenoei reserved his sharpest criticism for inconsistencies in how Iran’s travel arrangements have been handled. He said U.S. officials had agreed to let Iran manage its own travel planning ahead of the final group match against Egypt in Seattle on June 26 — a flexibility he said should have applied from the start.
“Why didn’t they let us come earlier for the first two games as well?” he said. “If they’ve managed to do this now, why didn’t they do that for our first game and for this game?”
