LOS ANGELES June 16, 2026 — FIFA President Gianni Infantino visited the Iranian national team’s dressing room following their dramatic opening Group G match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where Iran fought back from behind to draw 2-2 with New Zealand. In a video shared widely online, Infantino expressed empathy for the team’s off-field struggles while praising their resilience on the pitch.
“I know what you’re going through. I understand,” Infantino told the players and staff, according to footage from the locker room. “But you are stronger than everything, and you send a strong message to the entire world.” He added that the team had shown their families, friends, people, and the world their performance in the tournament, with two more group games ahead.
The visit came amid significant logistical and visa-related difficulties for the Iranian delegation. Several officials were denied U.S. visas, forcing the team to base in Tijuana, Mexico, rather than the United States. Players must cross the border for matches, often enduring long immigration lines and limited recovery time, which coach Amir Ghalenoei and captain Mehdi Taremi described as making Iran the “most oppressed” or “most penalized” squad in the tournament.
Taremi bluntly called the situation “a disaster” for the team, while Ghalenoei confronted issues directly during Infantino’s visit. The team had planned to stay overnight in California for recovery but was reportedly required to return to Tijuana immediately after the match.
On the field, Iran showed fighting spirit. New Zealand took the lead twice through Elijah Just, but Ramin Rezaeian set up both equalizers for Iran — a chipped goal in the 32nd minute and a 64th-minute header by Mohammad Mohebbi. The match was played in Los Angeles, where the Iranian diaspora created a vibrant atmosphere.
Infantino has previously pledged support for Iran’s participation despite geopolitical tensions. His locker-room message emphasized the team’s strength and urged them to continue performing proudly in upcoming matches against Belgium and Egypt.
The visa and travel issues have sparked broader criticism of the 2026 World Cup organization, jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Iranian officials have called for better coordination from FIFA and multiple-entry visas to ease preparations.
Iran remains in contention in Group G despite the challenges, with their resilience drawing international attention both on and off the pitch.
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