Iran played 'beautiful game' in worst conditions
Key takeaways
- "We came into the World Cup under the worst possible conditions," Ghalenoei told reporters after the Group G game left Iran on two points from two matches.
- Iran, whose travel from their base in Tijuana, Mexico, into and out of the U.S. has been restricted, landed in the U.S.
- "We had two great games without losing," Ghalenoei said, alluding to his team's opening 2-2 draw with New Zealand.
Why this matters: a sports story that could shift standings, legacies, or fan conversations.
Among the reasons Ghalenoei listed that made life difficult on his team were short travel windows, visa complications entering the United States and Mexico in recent weeks, almost no time to properly prepare the team ahead of the tournament and a world-class opponent in Belgium, FIFA's No. 10-ranked team.
"We came into the World Cup under the worst possible conditions," Ghalenoei told reporters after the Group G game left Iran on two points from two matches. "And still we got a result against a great team and a great manager.
Iran, whose travel from their base in Tijuana, Mexico, into and out of the U.S. has been restricted, landed in the U.S. Saturday night, played Sunday and were due to return to Mexico Sunday night.