Iran head coach Amir Ghalenoei is convinced that his team’s undefeated start to the World Cup will be remembered for a long time, especially considering the significant hurdles they overcame leading up to the competition. Following a goalless draw against 10-man Belgium, and an initial draw against New Zealand, the team has managed to remain competitive despite extreme adversity.
The squad’s journey was marred by uncertainty due to the conflict involving co-hosts USA, which led to various teams canceling scheduled friendlies. Ghalenoei highlighted that for half a year, the country faced wartime conditions, and their domestic league was suspended. Logistical challenges have persisted during the tournament as well; due to visa restrictions, the team must travel from their Mexico base to USA match sites on the day of the game and return immediately afterward.
Ghalenoei remains hopeful that they might secure an earlier arrival for their upcoming final group match against Egypt in Seattle, although the matter remains under discussion. While a victory would propel Iran into the knockout stages, the manager believes his players have already accomplished something remarkable. He emphasized that given their limited training time—less than 16 hours ahead of games—this performance will be etched into the legacy of Iranian football for future generations to admire.
