Iran coach Ghalenoei decries US visa ban after 2‑2 World Cup draw with New Zealand

Iran’s national team drew 2‑2 with New Zealand in its opening Group G match of the World Cup in Los Angeles. Coach Amir Ghalenoei said the side played well, calling it “the best match of the first round”, but expressed disappointment with the result, noting that “two balls came towards our goal and both became goals.”

Ghalenoei also criticised the United States for ordering the Iranian delegation to leave the country after the game and for denying visas to about fifteen staff members. The team was forced to shift its training base from Arizona to Mexico, and the coach described Iran as “perhaps the most oppressed team in the history of international football.”