Iranian national soccer team coach Amir Ghalenoei said his team was told to leave the U.S. immediately after a match on Monday night.
The sudden departure raises questions about the logistical and diplomatic conditions surrounding the team's presence in Los Angeles. The timing of the order occurred shortly after a 2-2 draw [1] against New Zealand.
Ghalenoei said the team was instructed to return to their training base in Mexico. He expressed frustration over the lack of downtime for his players following the physical demands of the game.
"They didn't even give us time to recover," Ghalenoei said.
The match took place in Los Angeles, where the team had been stationed before the directive to relocate. The coach did not provide a specific reason for the order to exit the country, but noted the immediate nature of the requirement.
The team's transition from the U.S. to Mexico follows the conclusion of the fixture. The rapid movement of the squad suggests a strict itinerary or external pressures affecting the team's stay in the United States.
“"They didn't even give us time to recover"”
The immediate removal of a national team from a host country after a match is unusual in international sports. This incident may point to restrictive visa conditions or diplomatic tensions that limit the duration of the Iranian delegation's stay in the U.S., forcing the team to utilize Mexico as a neutral operational hub.
