FIFA President Gianni Infantino made an unscheduled visit to the Iranian national team’s dressing room immediately after their 2-2 draw with New Zealand on Monday, offering words of encouragement to a squad that has endured one of the most turbulent build-ups to a World Cup in recent memory.
The Group G opener at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles saw Iran twice come from behind, with Ramin Rezaeian equalising in the 32nd minute before Mohammad Mohebbi’s 64th-minute header secured a point. New Zealand’s Elijah Just scored both goals for the All Whites, who were seeking their first-ever World Cup victory.
But the match unfolded against a backdrop of extraordinary political tension. Iran’s participation in the tournament had been clouded by months of uncertainty following United States-Israeli strikes on Iran earlier this year. Just 24 hours before kick-off, a preliminary peace deal between the US and Iran was announced. Outside the stadium, between 300 and 500 protesters gathered carrying anti-government banners, while inside, sections of the crowd booed the Iranian national anthem before kick-off.
The Iranian squad arrived in the United States only the day before the match, having been forced to establish their training base in Tijuana, Mexico, after their planned base camp in Arizona fell through. Multiple members of the delegation — reportedly 15 officials and support staff — were denied US visas, forcing last-minute adjustments to the team’s preparations.
Infantino’s dressing room address
According to Iran captain Mehdi Taremi and goalscorer Mohammad Mohebbi, Infantino entered the dressing room after the final whistle to address the players directly.
“Tonight’s match was difficult, and with a little bit of luck, you could have come away with the victory,” Infantino told the squad, according to sources present.
“You have shown your families, your friends, and the entire world that you belong at the World Cup. You are players capable of delivering performances at the highest level.
“I understand what you are going through, but you are stronger than every challenge you face. Through your resilience and determination, you are sending a powerful message to the whole world.”
The FIFA president also sought to lighten the mood with a joke directed at the coaching staff: “If the coach needs a striker, I’ll play the next match with you”.
‘The most oppressed team’
However, the visit also provided an opportunity for Iran head coach Amir Ghalenoei to voice his frustrations directly to football’s most powerful administrator.
“Perhaps our team is the most oppressed one in the whole World Cup,” Ghalenoei said after the match. “The head of the federation is absent. Our media isn’t here, our management — many of them aren’t here”.
Taremi, who plays for Inter Milan, described the situation as “a disaster”, revealing that the team had been ordered to leave Los Angeles immediately after the match and return to their Tijuana base.
Both Taremi and Mohebbi disclosed that Infantino had pledged to help address the logistical problems the team is facing during the competition. Asked what Infantino said in the dressing room, Taremi replied: “He just wants to help us”.
A promise kept
Infantino’s support for Iran’s participation is not new. During his opening World Cup speech in Mexico City last week, the FIFA president recalled: “People were saying it would be impossible for Iran to come to the World Cup — I promised them that they would come and if I had to go with a bus to Tehran and drive them I would do that”.
That promise was fulfilled when Iran took the field on Monday — though the team’s ability to focus on football remains hampered by forces far beyond the pitch.
The draw leaves Group G finely poised, with Belgium and Egypt also playing out a 1-1 draw earlier in the day. Iran will face Belgium in Los Angeles on Sunday, before concluding their group campaign against Egypt in Seattle on June 26.
Whether Infantino’s private pledge translates into tangible improvements for the Iranian delegation remains to be seen. But for one night in Los Angeles, a team that has been through more than most found an unlikely ally in football’s highest office.
