FIFA World Cup:
Iran given injury boost ahead of New Zealand game
Iran head coach Amir Qalenoei has been handed good news on six injured players ahead of his team's World Cup opener today, the Iranian Football Federation (FFIRI) has confirmed.
Star striker Mahdi Taremi, along with Saman Qoddous, Rouzbeh Cheshmi, Mohammad Mohebbi, Mahdi Torabi and Shahriar Moghanlou, had been struggling with various injury problems since Team Melli arrived at its World Cup base in Tijuana, Mexico, last week. However, the FFIRI said a full squad was available for Saturday's training session.
Iran will begin its Group G campaign against New Zealand at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, California, before taking on Belgium at the same venue next Sunday.
Qalenoei's side will complete its group-stage fixtures against Egypt at Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington, on June 26.
Despite playing all three group matches on U.S. soil, Iran moved its training base to the Mexican border city from Tucson, Arizona, as originally planned – a measure taken to avoid possible visa denials for members of the delegation in what will be the most politically charged event in the country's sporting history. It will be the first FIFA World Cup hosted by a nation receiving the team of a country with which it is at war.
The United States nevertheless declined to issue visas to 15 members of the team's support staff, including FFIRI chairman Mahdi Taj, Secretary-General Hedayat Mombeini and Vice-President Mahdi Mohammad Nabi.
However, four members of the delegation have won appeals against the rejection of their visa applications.
Those granted visas include a member of the team's technical staff working as an analyst and two officials from the federation's international department, but Taj's application was rejected again.
Speaking to Italian outlet La Gazzetta dello Sport, former Inter striker Taremi said: "Sport and politics should remain separate," adding that the World Cup conveys a message in support of "a conflict-free world."
Asked about the team's condition ahead of today's game, the Iranian talisman said: "If I speak purely about the physical and mental side, I can say I feel good. My teammates and I remain focused on football. Of course, things always happen outside of the game, but the only useful thing to do in these situations is to try and maintain focus on what we can control."
Taremi, who is set to play in his third World Cup, underlined his team's unprecedented build-up to the tournament, saying: "It's always said that once you step off the plane and enter the host country, you should feel an atmosphere of warmth and unity. Perhaps it's just my impression, but I don't feel it right now.
"It's obvious there's a lot of tension, but I believe sport and politics should always be separate. Sport is about respect, peace and unity. The World Cup has an audience of billions of people and can promote these sentiments; it can push for a world free from conflict, not just for Iran but for everyone.
"I'd only add that any country agreeing to host a World Cup must follow FIFA regulations and fulfil its responsibilities as a host nation. That's what I mean when I say politics should be separated and the principles of sport preserved.
"We want to convey a message of peace through our game and our culture, which is very rich. The media does not portray it accurately to the world. I believe our people are proud of us simply for going there and playing under these circumstances. Now, after that pride, we need to bring them some joy, which means winning matches."
Despite facing a series of obstacles in their World Cup preparations, Taremi and his teammates will look to secure the country's first-ever knockout-stage berth in seven attempts.
On Team Melli's chances of a historic breakthrough, Taremi, who came within inches of the feat in 2018 and 2022, said: "Let's not get ahead of ourselves.
"Every match in our group will be difficult. Teams like Belgium and Egypt have a lot of quality and experience, but New Zealand certainly should not be underestimated either. We respect all our opponents and focus on the best possible preparation for each encounter.
"We know that if we do things well, we'll have a chance. And we could achieve a positive, even historic, result for Iranian football."