US expels Iran's World Cup team from LA overnight; squad calls treatment 'oppressive'
The Hill—American immigration authorities ordered Iran's players to leave Los Angeles immediately after their opening World Cup match, barring them from spending the night and forcing a return to their Mexico base. Coach Amir Ghalenoei confirmed the expulsion, which the team publicly condemned as 'oppressive' in a formal statement. The incident adds a sharp diplomatic edge to an already tense US-Iran relationship during the first World Cup held on American soil. Tunisia, meanwhile, sacked their head coach after just one match, adding to the tournament's early turbulence.
- The Hill — Coach Ghalenoei confirmed order to leave came directly from US authorities
- CBS News — Iran's World Cup coach says team was expelled from US immediately after first match
- Defector — Iran Forced Out Of U.S. Immediately After Playing Best Match Of World Cup
- CBS News — Protests staged outside Iran's World Cup opener in Los Angeles
- Daily Mail — World — Players issued public statement denouncing US treatment as 'oppressive'
- HuffPost — US News — Team barred from spending the night in Los Angeles
- BBC — Tunisia sacked head coach after just one World Cup match
- Financial Times — Iran's World Cup team ordered back to Mexico after opening match amid US immigration dispute
- Google News Top — Iran's soccer team says it was forced to leave the US after its opening World Cup match
- Straight Arrow News — Iran's World Cup coach says team was expelled from US after their first match