{"id":1993283,"date":"2026-06-16T15:03:04","date_gmt":"2026-06-16T12:03:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1993283"},"modified":"2026-06-16T15:03:04","modified_gmt":"2026-06-16T12:03:04","slug":"iran-coach-calls-team-world-cups-most-oppressed-after-rushed-departure-from-us","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1993283","title":{"rendered":"Iran coach calls team World Cup&#8217;s &#8216;most oppressed&#8217; after rushed departure from US"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/80\/07\/97\/1200x675_cmsv2_5fbf6adf-cfa9-5593-bd8d-5617dd7c7d39-9800797.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2902459-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2902459\" data-cid=\"9801022\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2902459-label-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/80\/10\/22\/189x106_cmsv2_39fd57cd-246f-58d4-a07c-f7fa71a3266b-9801022.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Construction continues on the ballroom at the White House in Washington, 6 June, 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    USA<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Trump ballroom cost soars to \u20ac516m with half coming from taxpayers\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2902457-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2902457\" data-cid=\"9801054\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2902457-label-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/80\/10\/20\/189x106_cmsv2_a1beb5e2-932d-501f-a25f-e52ee1299642-9801020.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"File photo. 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class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Latest news bulletin | June 16th, 2026 \u2013 Evening\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"helper-site-row o-article-newsy\">\n<div class=\"helper-site-container o-article-newsy__container\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__main\">\n<header class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__header\">\n<nav aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs\">\n<div id=\"adb-article-breadcrumb\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs__list\">\n<p>                          News<\/p>\n<p>                          World<\/p>\n<p>                          Iran<\/p><\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<h1 class=\"c-article-redesign-title\">\n                            Iran coach calls team World Cup&#8217;s &#8216;most oppressed&#8217; after rushed departure from US<\/h1>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-video u-position-relative \">\n<div class=\"js-superdiv u-aspect-ratio-16x9 u-position-relative \" data-sponsored=\"Partner content\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"js-poster-img c-article-media__img\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/80\/07\/97\/1536x864_cmsv2_5fbf6adf-cfa9-5593-bd8d-5617dd7c7d39-9800797.jpg\" width=\"1536\" height=\"864\" loading=\"eager\" alt=\"Iran&apos;s Mohammad Mohebbi reacts after the World Cup Group G match between Iran and New Zealand in Inglewood, CA., 15 June 2026\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-caption u-position-absolute\"><i id=\"article-caption-content\" class=\"c-article-caption__content\"><span class=\"c-article-caption__text\"><br \/>\n              Iran&#8217;s Mohammad Mohebbi reacts after the World Cup Group G match between Iran and New Zealand in Inglewood, CA., 15 June 2026<br \/>\n                    <span class=\"u-color-white\">&#8211;\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__copyright\">Copyright\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__credit\">AP Photo<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-copyright c-article-image-copyright--novideo\">\n      Copyright\u00a0AP Photo\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__body u-article-content\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__contributors-publication-date\">\n<div class=\"c-article-contributors\">\n  By&amp;nbspBabak Kamiar\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-publication-date\" data-timestamp=\"1781622184\">\n                    Published on                 <time datetime=\"2026-06-16 17:03:04 +02:00\">16\/06\/2026 &#8211; 17:03 GMT+2<\/time><span class=\"c-article-publication-date__bullet\">\u2022<\/span>Updated<br \/>\n                                     <time datetime=\"17:04\">17:04<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-share-comment-share\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Share<\/span><\/span><span 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class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-threads.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"threads\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Threads<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-threads.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"threads\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-whatsapp.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"whatsapp\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Whatsapp<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-whatsapp.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"whatsapp\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"c-article-summary\">\n        Amir Ghalenoei said his side was ordered to fly back to Tijuana hours after Monday&#8217;s 2-2 draw with New Zealand, while captain Mehdi Taremi called it &#8220;a disaster for us,&#8221; adding that the team&#8217;s &#8220;goal and wish is to pursue peace and happiness&#8221;.<br \/>\n    <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-content js-article-content\">\n<p>Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei said his team was &#8220;perhaps the most oppressed in the World Cup,&#8221; after his side was ordered to leave the US and fly back to its training base in Tijuana only hours after opening the tournament with a 2-2 draw against New Zealand on Monday night.<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>&#8220;They didn&#8217;t even give us time to recover,&#8221; Ghalenoei said through an interpreter. &#8220;After the game today, they said to us, &#8216;You have to leave immediately. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s very important for us to have time for recovery, but we are asked to get on a plane and return to our camp in Tijuana, and we are really troubled by that.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>He did not say who had ordered the early departure. The team had expected to stay overnight in California to allow for normal post-match recovery before being told it had to fly back immediately.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We don&#8217;t know why they are returning us, to be honest,&#8221; Ghalenoei said. &#8220;I think it&#8217;s very strange. It seems like others are doing the planning for us.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We have no idea why. I think our team is perhaps the most oppressed in the World Cup,&#8221; he added.<\/p>\n<p>Captain Mehdi Taremi said the squad had endured five hours of travel and security checks on Sunday for what is normally a short trip from Tijuana to the Los Angeles area. &#8220;All the thing is like a disaster for us,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<p>Iran&#8217;s World Cup cycle has been in upheaval since the US and Israel began a war against Iran on 28 February. The team ultimately decided to compete after FIFA rejected its request to move its three group-stage matches out of the US.<\/p>\n<p>In its opening match on Monday, Iran came from behind twice to draw 2-2, a result Ghalenoei described as producing &#8220;the best game of the World Cup group stage&#8221; despite his frustration with the outcome. <\/p>\n<h2>&#8216;Not my team&#8217;<\/h2>\n<p>Meanwhile, several hundred Iranian Americans protested outside the stadium in Inglewood, calling for change in Tehran and waving the pre-revolutionary lion-and-sun flag, while thousands of others poured into the stadium in the heart of the largest diaspora community to see the team play.<\/p>\n<p>The demonstrators contended the team is synonymous with the Tehran regime, while fans, their cheeks striped with red-and-green face paint, filed past, saying they were separating football from politics. <\/p>\n<p>At one point, protesters snatched an official Iranian flag from a fan, stomped on it and ripped it.<\/p>\n<p>Southern California is home to the largest Iranian community outside Iran, many of whom arrived after the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Rameileh Jaffrey, 46, of Los Angeles, left Iran a dozen years ago and said she feels the team\u2019s players are aligned with Iran&#8217;s current regime.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThey are not my team. They are a government team,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6665\">\n<div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n<div class=\"widget__contents\">\n<figure class=\"widget__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/80\/07\/97\/808x539_cmsv2_29769fb6-5c7e-5913-81ef-6b431af4d2f8-9800797.jpg\" alt=\"People protest outside Los Angeles Stadium before the World Cup Group G soccer match between Iran and New Zealand in Inglewood, CA, 15 June 2026\"><figcaption class=\"widget__caption\"><span class=\"widget__captionWrap\"><span class=\"widget__captionText\">People protest outside Los Angeles Stadium before the World Cup Group G soccer match between Iran and New Zealand in Inglewood, CA, 15 June 2026<\/span><span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo<\/span><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Event security broke up shouting matches between protesters and fans before and after the match and was joined by sheriff\u2019s deputies shortly before kickoff. A woman protesting jeered Kia Keanh and his family as they walked by wearing T-shirts supporting the team.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI\u2019m just here to watch the sport, it\u2019s not about the regime,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019m just here for a World Cup game, to enjoy it with my family.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Some of the demonstrators also went inside the stadium to see the team play, like 42-year-old Ella Bah, who brought extra clothing to conceal the lion-and-sun flag she wore tied around her like a dress.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe\u2019re not here to cheer them on,\u201d she said. \u201cWe\u2019re here to be the voice for the people inside Iran.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>A section of Iranian fans booed the Islamic Republic&#8217;s national anthem before kickoff but cheered when Ramin Rezaeian and Mohammad Mohebi scored. The match passed without the disruption some had expected.<\/p>\n<p>After being asked about the disruption and the fans&#8217; reaction, Rezaeian, who was named man of the match after a goal and an assist, said, &#8220;We will solve the problems related to our country ourselves, and you should not worry about them.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>He thanked the fans inside the stadium. &#8220;I think they were satisfied with the players&#8217; performance and effort because the national team played attacking, high-quality football and fought until the end to achieve a result.&#8221;<\/p>\n<h2>&#8216;Stronger and greater&#8217;<\/h2>\n<p>FIFA President Gianni Infantino visited Iran&#8217;s dressing room afterwards and praised the players. &#8220;You are stronger and greater than all the issues that have arisen for you, and you are sending a very powerful message to the world,&#8221; he told the squad.<\/p>\n<p>Ghalenoei thanked FIFA for its attention to the team but described Iran as &#8220;the most underdog team at the World Cup.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>He cited the team&#8217;s inability to remain in Los Angeles for recovery and the absence of federation president Mehdi Taj and secretary-general Mohammad Nabi, both of whom had their US visa applications rejected even after appeals, calling for greater support from FIFA.<\/p>\n<p>Tasnim News Agency reported that Taremi and assistant coach Saeid Alhoei were delayed leaving Los Angeles airport after the match, forcing the rest of the squad to wait on the plane. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Our goal and wish is to pursue peace and happiness, which are also values promoted by FIFA,&#8221; Taremi said.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Overall, it is a bad situation, and we are very tired of these circumstances. Over the past two months, we have faced many problems, and this has affected the team,&#8221; he added. &#8220;Nevertheless, as FIFA has said, we are here to pursue peace and enjoy football.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>Asked whether he had a message for Trump, he smiled. &#8220;I am a footballer, not a politician. We are here to play football.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6665\">\n<div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n<div class=\"widget__contents\">\n<figure class=\"widget__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/80\/07\/97\/808x539_cmsv2_fe1f99a6-8e37-56fc-ab8f-875134bd605f-9800797.jpg\" alt=\"Iran&apos;s Ramin Rezaeian (23) celebrates with his teammates after scoring a goal during the World Cup Group G against New Zealand in Inglewood, CA., 15 June 2026\"><figcaption class=\"widget__caption\"><span class=\"widget__captionWrap\"><span class=\"widget__captionText\">Iran&#8217;s Ramin Rezaeian (23) celebrates with his teammates after scoring a goal during the World Cup Group G against New Zealand in Inglewood, CA., 15 June 2026<\/span><span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo<\/span><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Separately, Iranian media reported that defender Mehdi Torabi was issued a single-entry visa rather than the multiple-entry visa given to his teammates, meaning it expired once the squad left the US after the New Zealand match. <\/p>\n<p>The federation said it was working to secure a new visa in time for Iran&#8217;s next match.<\/p>\n<p>Iran faces Belgium in Los Angeles next Sunday. The exact timing of the team&#8217;s return to the US has not been confirmed. After the opening round of group games, all four teams in Group G have one point.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<footer class=\"perf-cv-auto c-article-contributors c-article-contributors-supplementary u-margin-top-2 u-padding-top-2\">\n<p>Additional sources<strong> \u2022 AP<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/footer>\n<p>                                  Go to accessibility shortcuts<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-share-comment-share\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Share<\/span><\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Comments<\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label c-article-share-comment__label--always\">Add Euronews on Google<\/span><\/div>\n<div id=\"adb-article-you-might-also-like\" class=\"perf-cv-auto c-article-you-might-also-like\">\n<h2 class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__title\">\n        Read more<br \/>\n      <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  Ships start to trickle through Strait of Hormuz, but who will run it still in doubt<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  Iran declares victory and Israel holds its ground as US framework deal faces first test<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  EU leaders welcome US-Iran deal to end war as Macron says mission to aid Hormuz reopening &#8216;ready&#8217;<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto\">\n<ul id=\"adb-article-tags\" class=\"c-tags-list\">\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Iran war<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  United States<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Los Angeles<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  World Cup 2026<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"o-article-newsy__aside\">\n<div class=\"c-ad-wrapper o-article-newsy__aside__content-1\" data-ad-name=\"adzone-halfpage\">\n<div class=\"c-ad c-ad-halfpage u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"adb-article-top-stories\" class=\"perf-cv-auto c-top-stories\">\n<h2 class=\"c-top-stories__title\">Top stories<\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2902160-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2902160\" data-cid=\"9799310\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2902160-label-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/79\/93\/10\/320x180_cmsv2_cc76bc12-f18f-54fe-88c0-76528254a6ae-9799310.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"The G7 summit.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \"><span class=\"c-article-title__prefix--red\">Live.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>    G7 summit: US will &#8216;soon&#8217; 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put back sanctions on Russia, Trump says<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__item\"><span class=\"c-most-viewed__item__number\">5<\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2902007-pos5-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2902007\" data-cid=\"9798547\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Starbucks to close Korea stores for history lesson after ad fiasco<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto c-ad-wrapper o-article-newsy__aside__content-3\" data-ad-name=\"adzone-halfpage\">\n<div class=\"c-ad c-ad-halfpage u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2902160-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2902160\" data-cid=\"9799310\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2902160-label-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/79\/93\/10\/320x180_cmsv2_cc76bc12-f18f-54fe-88c0-76528254a6ae-9799310.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"The G7 summit.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \"><span class=\"c-article-title__prefix--red\">Live.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>    G7 summit: US will &#8216;soon&#8217; put back sanctions on Russia, Trump says<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2902451-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2902451\" data-cid=\"9801006\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2902451-label-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/80\/10\/06\/320x180_cmsv2_40dc1dc7-af08-5369-8d95-34ad08601d54-9801006.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"A satellite view of the UK and France separated by the English Channel, 13 September, 2002\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \"><span class=\"c-article-title__prefix--red\">Breaking news.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>    Russian warship fires shots at vessel in English Channel, UK media say<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2902438-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2902438\" data-cid=\"9800822\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2902438-label-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/80\/08\/22\/320x180_cmsv2_119a3f69-8792-593f-8a24-a13536880ce2-9800822.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"FILE: Aliaksandr Lukashenka attends a session at the World Atomic Week forum in Moscow, Russia, Sept. 25, 2025. \" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Lukashenka apologises to &#8216;young and inexperienced&#8217; Zelenskyy<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2902336-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2902336\" data-cid=\"9800666\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2902336-label-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/80\/06\/66\/320x180_cmsv2_518f26db-1530-50f3-b774-622dd5dc4e19-9800666.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Semyon Skrepetsky poses for a photo with one of his paintings near the Russian Embassy in Berlin, 12 June, 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Russian artist critical of Putin shot dead in Poland, officials say<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2902459-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2902459\" data-cid=\"9801022\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2902459-label-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/80\/10\/22\/320x180_cmsv2_39fd57cd-246f-58d4-a07c-f7fa71a3266b-9801022.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Construction continues on the ballroom at the White House in Washington, 6 June, 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Trump ballroom cost soars to \u20ac516m with half coming from taxpayers<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2898516-pos1-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2898516\" data-cid=\"9781367\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Air passengers to enjoy free cabin bags as decade-long EU talks end<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2902167-pos2-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2902167\" data-cid=\"9799387\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Young woman dies after being launched off bridge without safety rope<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2901905-pos3-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2901905\" data-cid=\"9798052\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    What&#8217;s the average age of first-time homebuyers across Europe?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2902160-pos4-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2902160\" data-cid=\"9799310\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \"><span class=\"c-article-title__prefix--red\">Live.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>    G7 summit: US will &#8216;soon&#8217; put back sanctions on Russia, Trump says<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2902007-pos5-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2902007\" data-cid=\"9798547\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Starbucks to close Korea stores for history lesson after ad fiasco<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"articleBody\" data-key=\"articleBody\">Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei said his team was &#8220;perhaps the most oppressed in the World Cup,&#8221; after his side was ordered to leave the US and fly back to its training base in Tijuana only hours after opening the tournament with a 2-2 draw against New Zealand on Monday night.&#8221;They didn&#8217;t even give us time to recover,&#8221; Ghalenoei said through an interpreter. &#8220;After the game today, they said to us, &#8216;You have to leave immediately.&#8221;It&#8217;s very important for us to have time for recovery, but we are asked to get on a plane and return to our camp in Tijuana, and we are really troubled by that.&#8221;He did not say who had ordered the early departure. The team had expected to stay overnight in California to allow for normal post-match recovery before being told it had to fly back immediately.&#8221;We don&#8217;t know why they are returning us, to be honest,&#8221; Ghalenoei said. &#8220;I think it&#8217;s very strange. It seems like others are doing the planning for us.&#8221;&#8221;We have no idea why. I think our team is perhaps the most oppressed in the World Cup,&#8221; he added.Captain Mehdi Taremi said the squad had endured five hours of travel and security checks on Sunday for what is normally a short trip from Tijuana to the Los Angeles area. &#8220;All the thing is like a disaster for us,&#8221; he said.Iran&#8217;s World Cup cycle has been in upheaval since the US and Israel began a war against Iran on 28 February. The team ultimately decided to compete after FIFA rejected its request to move its three group-stage matches out of the US.In its opening match on Monday, Iran came from behind twice to draw 2-2, a result Ghalenoei described as producing &#8220;the best game of the World Cup group stage&#8221; despite his frustration with the outcome.&#8217;Not my team&#8217;Meanwhile, several hundred Iranian Americans protested outside the stadium in Inglewood, calling for change in Tehran and waving the pre-revolutionary lion-and-sun flag, while thousands of others poured into the stadium in the heart of the largest diaspora community to see the team play.The demonstrators contended the team is synonymous with the Tehran regime, while fans, their cheeks striped with red-and-green face paint, filed past, saying they were separating football from politics.At one point, protesters snatched an official Iranian flag from a fan, stomped on it and ripped it.Southern California is home to the largest Iranian community outside Iran, many of whom arrived after the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Rameileh Jaffrey, 46, of Los Angeles, left Iran a dozen years ago and said she feels the team\u2019s players are aligned with Iran&#8217;s current regime.\u201cThey are not my team. They are a government team,\u201d she said.Event security broke up shouting matches between protesters and fans before and after the match and was joined by sheriff\u2019s deputies shortly before kickoff. A woman protesting jeered Kia Keanh and his family as they walked by wearing T-shirts supporting the team.\u201cI\u2019m just here to watch the sport, it\u2019s not about the regime,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019m just here for a World Cup game, to enjoy it with my family.\u201dSome of the demonstrators also went inside the stadium to see the team play, like 42-year-old Ella Bah, who brought extra clothing to conceal the lion-and-sun flag she wore tied around her like a dress.\u201cWe\u2019re not here to cheer them on,\u201d she said. \u201cWe\u2019re here to be the voice for the people inside Iran.\u201dA section of Iranian fans booed the Islamic Republic&#8217;s national anthem before kickoff but cheered when Ramin Rezaeian and Mohammad Mohebi scored. The match passed without the disruption some had expected.After being asked about the disruption and the fans&#8217; reaction, Rezaeian, who was named man of the match after a goal and an assist, said, &#8220;We will solve the problems related to our country ourselves, and you should not worry about them.&#8221;He thanked the fans inside the stadium. &#8220;I think they were satisfied with the players&#8217; performance and effort because the national team played attacking, high-quality football and fought until the end to achieve a result.&#8221;&#8216;Stronger and greater&#8217;FIFA President Gianni Infantino visited Iran&#8217;s dressing room afterwards and praised the players. &#8220;You are stronger and greater than all the issues that have arisen for you, and you are sending a very powerful message to the world,&#8221; he told the squad.Ghalenoei thanked FIFA for its attention to the team but described Iran as &#8220;the most underdog team at the World Cup.&#8221;He cited the team&#8217;s inability to remain in Los Angeles for recovery and the absence of federation president Mehdi Taj and secretary-general Mohammad Nabi, both of whom had their US visa applications rejected even after appeals, calling for greater support from FIFA.Tasnim News Agency reported that Taremi and assistant coach Saeid Alhoei were delayed leaving Los Angeles airport after the match, forcing the rest of the squad to wait on the plane.&#8221;Our goal and wish is to pursue peace and happiness, which are also values promoted by FIFA,&#8221; Taremi said.&#8221;Overall, it is a bad situation, and we are very tired of these circumstances. Over the past two months, we have faced many problems, and this has affected the team,&#8221; he added. &#8220;Nevertheless, as FIFA has said, we are here to pursue peace and enjoy football.&#8221;Asked whether he had a message for Trump, he smiled. &#8220;I am a footballer, not a politician. We are here to play football.&#8221;Separately, Iranian media reported that defender Mehdi Torabi was issued a single-entry visa rather than the multiple-entry visa given to his teammates, meaning it expired once the squad left the US after the New Zealand match.The federation said it was working to secure a new visa in time for Iran&#8217;s next match.Iran faces Belgium in Los Angeles next Sunday. The exact timing of the team&#8217;s return to the US has not been confirmed. After the opening round of group games, all four teams in Group G have one point.<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2026\/06\/16\/iran-coach-calls-team-world-cups-most-oppressed-after-rushed-departure-from-us&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/80\/07\/97\/1200x675_cmsv2_5fbf6adf-cfa9-5593-bd8d-5617dd7c7d39-9800797.jpg&#8221;] USA Trump ballroom cost soars to \u20ac516m with half coming from taxpayers Earth News Chips to track palm trees in case of theft Europe News EU Parliament rejects member states\u2019 first draft of long-term budget Top News Stories Today Latest news bulletin | June 16th, 2026 \u2013 Evening USA Trump ballroom cost [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[90],"tags":[226,36],"class_list":["post-1993283","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-international","tag-crawlmanager","tag-euronews-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1993283","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1993283"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1993283\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1993283"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1993283"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1993283"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}