The Iranian striker Mehdi Taremi expressed that the ongoing controversies surrounding their participation in the World Cup detract from Fifa’s ethos of peace. He acknowledged feeling a palpable tension upon their arrival in Los Angeles just hours before a peace agreement was announced. This marks a historic moment, as it is the first time a host nation has welcomed a country with which it is in conflict.
On Sunday, the Iranian team traveled to Los Angeles from Tijuana, Mexico, where they were temporarily based due to a visa dispute. They now face potential protests from members of the Iranian community, many of whom believe that the national team does not authentically represent Iran. The team has encountered numerous challenges leading up to the tournament, including several officials being denied entry into the United States.
“This kind of tension undermines that joy and it undermines the message of Fifa and our people, which is about football and bringing about peace,” Taremi stated. “I think this World Cup could have provided a better atmosphere than it has and I hope in the future it will be better for all fans, whoever they are supporting. “It’s not just Iran that has been impacted, others have been impacted, including referees [the Somali official Omar Artan was denied entry]. I have felt the tension from the first moment we arrived at this World Cup. Of course, we don’t have the same beautiful experience we usually talk about – peace and joy. I know several countries had visa problems and changing of training camps. The tension exists – it did before the World Cup even started. The feeling, the sensation people always have looking forward to a World Cup, I think this time they hadn’t had the same feeling.”
He continued, noting the broader impact of these tensions.
“Iran will be playing as locals in Los Angeles, in spite of it all,”
Taremi and his teammates arrived in Los Angeles following a second attempt to land their plane. Upon reaching their hotel in Manhattan Beach, they were met by a gathering of Iranian protesters, mostly from California’s large Iranian community, estimated at 375,000— the largest outside Iran. An extensive police and security presence was also noted, including drones, mobile surveillance units, and sniffer dogs. A section of Los Angeles, particularly Westwood, is colloquially known as “We are here to play football and we are here to represent the respectful people of Iran, be it the Iranians inside of Iran or the diaspora,” due to its significant Iranian population. “We are only thinking about our country. We’re not political people and the slogan of Fifa is this, that football is separate from politics. We respect each and every one of the Iranians.” remarked Iran’s head coach Amir Ghalenoi.
Approximately 35,000 supporters of Iran are expected to attend their Group G opener against New Zealand, although many are anticipated to protest against the team prior to the match. “We were supposed to start training earlier, but, look, we arrived late and we didn’t have enough time to adjust, of course that will affect us,” Ghalenoi asserted. “I know my players are determined to do their utmost. I hope the World Cup will go well despite the travel problems we’ve had … I hope it will not affect the quality of our play.”
Ghalenoi acknowledged that the complicated travel arrangements have disrupted their training schedule. “The players of the national team play for every Iranian … People have different opinions but we are here as footballers to unite people and we will try to bring joy to all Iranians, irrespective of where they live. Everyone can have their own opinion. We are not here to get involved in politics, we are here to play football.” he said. “Serdar Azmoun is an excellent player and has done a lot for the national team, but he is not with us and we wish he was, but this is football, sorry,”
Despite reportedly passing through customs without major issues, Iran arrived about 20 minutes late for their pre-match press conference at So-Fi Stadium. “It wasn’t our fault,” Taremi clarified. “The players of the national team play for every Iranian … People have different opinions but we are here as footballers to unite people and we will try to bring joy to all Iranians, irrespective of where they live. Everyone can have their own opinion. We are not here to get involved in politics, we are here to play football.”
Ghalenoi was also questioned regarding the absence of Sardar Azmoun, amid rumors of a perceived disloyalty to the government. Azmoun, who currently plays in the UAE, reportedly angered Iranian officials by posting a photo with UAE ruler Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum. “Serdar Azmoun is an excellent player and has done a lot for the national team, but he is not with us and we wish he was, but this is football, sorry,” Ghalenoi explained.
A challenge for Fifa may arise from the potential presence of supporters carrying flags that feature the historic Iranian emblem, which includes a lion and a sun, from before the Islamic Revolution. Displaying this flag is prohibited in the World Cup stadiums. A Fifa representative dismissed inquiries regarding the flag, asserting that it was not pertinent to the sport.
