Iran National Team Stresses Its Appearance at the 2026 World Cup to Represent Every Citizen, No Matter the Faction

JAKARTA – Iran National Team (Timnas) coach Amir Ghalenoei and striker Mehdi Taremi said they would play for all Iranians at the 2026 World Cup, amid the prospect of protests looming ahead of the opening match against New Zealand on Tuesday, June 16, 2026.

The Iranian squad arrived in Los Angeles on Sunday, June 14, 2026, local time, for the first of three Group G matches to be held in the United States.

The meeting with New Zealand is scheduled to be followed by a match against Belgium, also in Los Angeles, on June 21, 2026, then clash with Egypt in Seattle on June 26, 2026 local time.

The match against New Zealand will take place amid the conflict that began in February 2026 when the United States and Israel launched an attack on Iran – a feud that was the subject of a reported peace deal on Sunday – which caused visa processing problems that forced the Iranian squad to move training camp from Arizona to Mexico as well as prevent some staff members from entering the United States.

The city of Los Angeles has the largest Iranian population in the United States. Reports indicate that tens of thousands of people can protest outside the SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, ahead of the opening match.

“I want to tell you that we are here to play football. We are here to represent the honorable Iranian people, both Iranian citizens at home and the Iranian diaspora.”

“We only think about our country. We are not political people. The Iranian nation, we respect every Iranian,” Ghalenoei said when asked about the possibility of protests at his official pre-match press conference.

Ghalenoei several times tried to thank the journalists for their questions about the challenges associated with the relocation of the team’s training base and noted what they had experienced during preparations.

Meanwhile, Taremi, who has more than 100 times defended the Iranian national team and currently plays for Greek Super League giant Olympiacos, repeated his coach’s words about unity amid a series of questions about possible protests and the potential presence of the Lion and Sun flags – Iran’s historic symbols that were widely used to represent Iran before the ruling regime – inside the stadium.

“We respect all Iranians, both Iranians inside the country and abroad. We are here to play football.”

“Football can always unite all factions. Our people, we love them inside or outside Iran. For years, the civilized Iranian nation has been a united nation.”

“We want to show that unity. We are here at the 2026 World Cup to bring joy to Iranian people wherever they are.”

“We, the players of the Iranian national team, play for every Iranian citizen, both the Iranian diaspora and Iranian citizens in the country. Look, in every country, people have different opinions.”

“However, we are here as football players to unite people. We will try to bring joy to all Iranians, regardless of where they live.”

“Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. We respect it, but we are here to bring joy to the Iranian people.”

“We are not involved in politics. We are here to play football,” Taremi said.

As he did in a conversation with ESPN earlier this week, Taremi noted the tension surrounding the tournament when asked about his feelings ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

While he used his closing remarks to note the lack of questions about New Zealand.

“No one asked questions about football. Tomorrow we will face a great New Zealand. I really hope this will be a good match.”

“For political things, you have to go to another city for this political press conference. We have great respect for New Zealand.”

“We want this to be a good match. We will make sure that we play a beautiful match for all the spectators.”

“I hope New Zealand will have the same attitude. I’m looking forward to the match,” he said.

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