Overview
- Iran drew 2-2 with New Zealand and were told to leave the United States immediately after the match, a decision players and coach Amir Ghalenoei say cut short recovery time and contributed to on-field cramping.
- More than a dozen Iranian delegation members, including federation officials, were denied U.S. entry, and state media reported winger Mehdi Torabi had only a single-entry visa that expired after the opener.
- FIFA president Gianni Infantino visited Iran’s locker room after the match and privately promised help, but FIFA has not moved Iran’s matches to Mexico and the base/match arrangement remains in place.
- Local authorities in Tijuana found a decomposing body in a vehicle near Iran’s training facility and are investigating, a development that has heightened security and wellbeing concerns for the squad.
- The situation stems from U.S. entry restrictions tied to recent strikes and sanctions, Mexico’s agreement to host Iran’s base camp, and growing scrutiny over how visa and cross-border logistics could affect player welfare and tournament fairness.