Iran footballers arrive in US amid peace deal but say tension 'undermines joy'

Iran’s World Cup squad arrived in Los Angeles on June 15 ahead of its opener against New Zealand, but the team’s first days in the United States have been shaped by war, visas and politics as much as by football.

Mehdi Taremi, Iran’s captain, said the atmosphere around the team had taken away some of the joy of the tournament. Reporting said he linked that mood to the political tension, the travel disruption and the difficult backdrop surrounding Iran’s arrival.

A difficult build-up

Iran had originally planned to train in Arizona before shifting its base to Tijuana, Mexico, and then making a late trip into the United States for the tournament. According to the reporting, the move came after visa complications affected the delegation and some officials were denied entry.

The timing added another layer of sensitivity. AP and The Guardian both reported that a peace deal had been announced shortly before the squad arrived, even as the wider conflict remained part of the story around the team.

Focus on football

Coach Amir Ghalenoei tried to separate the sporting task from the politics around it. He said Iran wanted to stay apolitical and focus on representing the people of Iran rather than the dispute surrounding the team.

That message reflected the squad’s wider effort to keep attention on the World Cup itself. But the context around Iran’s trip to the US has made that difficult, with security, travel and optics all part of the public discussion.

Protests and symbolism

Outside the stadium, reporting said parts of the Iranian diaspora in California were expected to protest. That has turned the opener in Inglewood into a politically charged event as well as a football match.

Los Angeles has a large Iranian community, which increases the significance of the team’s arrival there and raises the likelihood of both demonstrations and watch parties around the game.

What comes next

Iran’s immediate challenge is New Zealand in Inglewood, but the stakes extend beyond the pitch. FIFA or host-city authorities could still issue further security or operational guidance before kickoff, and any new entry or travel problems would add to the strain.

For now, the team has reached the United States and is preparing for its opener under unusual pressure. The football remains the formal focus, but the political backdrop continues to define the World Cup story around Iran.