Iran’s coach Amir Ghalenoei says political tensions and visa problems have affected Iran’s preparations for the 2026 World Cup, while insisting the team will focus on the tournament and ignore outside “hype.” Speaking after Iran arrives in the United States, Ghalenoei attributes disruptions to difficulties faced by team support staff seeking visas amid a broader diplomatic dispute. Multiple reports note that the United States and Iran are in military conflict and that some support personnel were denied visas, limiting preparations. Ghalenoei adds that despite the surrounding distractions, Iran’s players are determined to concentrate on performance.
Iran’s World Cup opener is scheduled against New Zealand in Los Angeles on Monday. The tournament is also described as historically unusual because the United States, as World Cup host, is playing host to a team from a country with which it is at war. Overall, the accounts agree that while political and administrative issues have created obstacles, the coach frames the priority as playing competitively and maintaining focus.
