Iran’s national team coach Amir Ghalenoei says political tensions and visa problems have “impacted” Iran’s preparations for the 2026 World Cup, but he adds that his players will not be distracted by outside noise. Speaking after Iran’s arrival in the United States, he links the team’s disrupted planning to difficulties involving visas for some members of the team’s support staff. The issues unfold amid a broader diplomatic dispute between Iran and the United States. Multiple reports describe the situation as affecting the team’s ability to prepare fully.
Ghalenoei also emphasizes that the team’s focus is on performance. He says Iran is aiming to play a strong, high-quality match and expects players to ignore “hype” or distractions related to the political environment. Iran’s first match is scheduled against New Zealand in Los Angeles on Monday. The reports also note that this World Cup includes a host country hosting a team from a state it is at war with, underscoring the political backdrop around Iran’s participation.
