Iran’s football team landed at Los Angeles International Airport on Sunday, marking their first arrival in the United States at the FIFA World Cup 2026 ahead of their Group G opener against New Zealand.
The squad flew in from Tijuana, Mexico, after receiving a rousing sendoff from their temporary base camp. Iran had shifted its camp from a sports complex in Arizona to Mexico late last month following joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran that began in late February.
Speaking at a press conference at Los Angeles Stadium, Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei said he was proud to represent his country at the tournament.
“I am very happy to be representing the great, proud and strong nation of Iran,” Ghalenoei said through a translator.
“I hope that football will bring about joy and enjoyment, and bring closer the cultures and countries,” he added.
Monday’s match at Los Angeles Stadium will be the first World Cup meeting between Iran and New Zealand. However, the fixture will be played against the backdrop of the US war with Iran and a newly announced peace deal between the two nations.
The political tension has added further attention to Iran’s campaign, with the United States refusing visas to some members of the team’s support staff despite being one of the tournament hosts.
The camp move also means Iran will have to travel from Mexico to the United States for each of their three group-stage matches. Ghalenoei said the travel schedule and visa issues involving some members of Iran’s football federation had negatively affected the squad.
This is the first World Cup since the tournament began in 1930 in which a host nation is set to receive a country it is at war with.
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