Iran 's World Cup campaign has taken on a travel and logistics dimension after their 2-2 draw with New Zealand in Los Angeles.
Mehdi Taremi 's comments after the Group G opener have brought attention to the conditions around Iran's tournament base, match travel and recovery arrangements.
The issue is not simply about one result. Iran's staff and players are now publicly addressing the practical demands around competing in the United States while being based across the border in Mexico .
The Olympiacos striker has since been quoted as saying: "This is not a fair competition."
Taremi and his Iran teammates were exhausted by travel, training, immigration checks and transit controls that were said to last five hours.
Iran head coach Amir Ghalenoei also described his squad as the "most oppressed" team at the World Cup after the same match.
Taremi is one of Iran's senior attacking figures, and his comments have carried weight because they came straight after the opening group match.
Ghalenoei has also said his players had to return to Tijuana after the match, rather than stay in California following the draw.
The background is important. Iran's World Cup base was reportedly moved from Tucson to Tijuana before the tournament, creating a different travel pattern from many other teams.
Iranian players had also received US visas before the tournament , so the issue is not a simple question of access. It is about how restrictions and movement rules affect preparation.
For Iran, the next task remains on the pitch. But after one match, their World Cup has already become a story about recovery, borders and the demands placed on a squad trying to compete under unusual conditions.
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