Iran national team coach Amir Ghalenoei called for support from other team coaches due to the organizational and logistical problems his team has faced at the 2026 World Cup.
Ghalenoei stated that his team is competing under “difficult and unfair conditions” at the tournament, and appealed for the help and support of the 47 coaches participating in the tournament.
Difficult preparation conditions
The Iran national team arrived in the United States just hours before the match against Belgium. The players had only 16 hours to prepare, a duration the technical staff considered “absolutely insufficient”.
The coach said that problems with travel, visas and bureaucratic procedures disrupted the preparation program and caused some training sessions to be cancelled. This made the task of one of the world’s strongest teams even more difficult.
Appeal for support and silence
Amir Ghalenoei expressed his discomfort that none of the 47 coaches to whom he sent a message responded. He described this silence as an “unjustified neglect” of his team’s difficulties.
The coach said he expected a solidarity movement emphasizing that football should be played under equal conditions. He stated that if similar situations recur for other teams, he will not hesitate to speak out again.
Ghalenoei also stressed that the Iran national team is free from any political considerations and focused solely on football.
Success achieved against Belgium
After all these difficulties, the Iran national team achieved a positive result against a strong Belgium side. The match ended in a draw with an organized defensive performance and clear solidarity under pressure.
Within the Iran camp, this result is seen as a significant achievement given the limited preparation conditions and the intense pressure before the match.
Goalkeeper Ali Raza Beyranvand was one of the team’s most important elements in the match. Beyranvand thwarted several critical chances that kept his team in the match until the end.
The technical staff praised Beyranvand’s performance and considered him one of the most important goalkeepers on the international stage for a team playing under constant pressure.
Situation within the group
Under difficult conditions, the Iran national team maintains its chances for the next round, relying on the fighting spirit and defensive solidity shown in recent matches.
The technical staff hopes for improved conditions for a more balanced contest in the final and third match of Group 7 against Egypt.
