Iran’s team has arrived in the United States for their World Cup opener against New Zealand
Iran’s national team arrives in the US for its World Cup opener against New Zealand following the announcement of a peace deal between the two nations.
Iran’s national football team touched down in the United States on Sunday for the first time during the World Cup, arriving at Los Angeles International Airport on the same day that Iran and the US revealed a peace deal intended to conclude their conflict.
The squad departed from its base in Tijuana, Mexico, enjoying a heartfelt send-off before making its way to Los Angeles for Monday’s Group G opener against New Zealand at Los Angeles Stadium.
At a press conference, Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei expressed his joy through a translator, stating, “I am very happy to be representing the great, proud, and strong nation of Iran.”
He expressed his hope that football will foster joy and enjoyment while bridging cultures and countries.
The match will occur against the backdrop of the recent conflict between Iran and the United States, alongside the newly announced agreement to end hostilities. This context adds significant attention to a fixture between two nations meeting for the first time at a World Cup.
Iran moved its World Cup base camp from Arizona to Mexico at the end of last month following joint strikes by the US and Israel on Iran that began in late February.
The arrangement requires Iran to journey from Mexico to the United States for each of its three group-stage matches. Ghalenoei stated that the travel demands, coupled with visa denials impacting certain members of Iran’s football federation, had hindered preparations.
US President Donald Trump and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif took to social media on Sunday to announce that the US-Iran agreement is set to be formally signed during a ceremony in Switzerland on Friday.
Upon the arrival of the Iranian team in Los Angeles, a group of protesters assembled near the stadium, advocating for democratic reform in Iran and expressing their discontent with the government.
Placards displayed messages such as “No Shah – No Mullah in Iran – Regime Change by Iranians.”
Protesters showcased posters and photographs of athletes, whom they claimed died after their arrests by Iranian authorities, along a bustling street in Inglewood.
