In a surprising turn of events, Iran's World Cup team was instructed to leave the United States shortly after their opening match against New Zealand, which ended in a 2-2 draw. The team's coach, Amir Ghalenoei, revealed that the order came just hours after the match, disrupting their planned recovery routine.

Unexpected Departure

Ghalenoei did not specify who issued the order for the team to return to their training base in Mexico. The players had anticipated staying in California for the night to aid their recovery following the intense match. However, they were informed post-game that they needed to board a flight back to Tijuana, located approximately 140 miles away.

Coach's Reaction

Expressing his frustration, Ghalenoei noted, “They didn’t even give us time to recover.” The abrupt decision left the team with little opportunity to recuperate after their opening game, highlighting the challenges faced by the squad in this politically charged tournament.

This unexpected development adds another layer of complexity to Iran's World Cup campaign as they navigate both the competitive and logistical aspects of the tournament.