Iranian Soccer Team Forced to Leave U.S. Immediately After World Cup Match

Why the Iranian Team Was Forced to Leave Early

The Iranian national soccer team was ordered to leave the U.S. immediately after its first World Cup match—a 2-2 draw against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15, 2026—denying players critical recovery time ahead of their next game against Belgium. The abrupt departure, described by coach Amir Ghalenoei as “very strange,” follows months of … Read more