LOS ANGELES: Iran’s soccer team arrived in the United States on Sunday, landing at Los Angeles International Airport hours after a peace deal between the two nations was announced.
The squad arrived following a short flight from Tijuana, Mexico, where they had relocated their base camp after the US and Israel conducted joint strikes on Iran beginning in late February.
“I am very happy to be representing the great, proud and strong nation of Iran,” coach Amir Ghalenoei said through a translator. “I hope that football will bring about joy and enjoyment, and bring closer the cultures and countries.”
Iran will face New Zealand in their Group G opener at Los Angeles Stadium on Monday. The fixture comes against the backdrop of the US war with Iran and the newly announced peace deal, adding a charged atmosphere to the contest.
Ghalenoei said the denial of visas for some members of Iran’s soccer federation had negatively affected the squad, but insisted the players were “not political people.”
“We are here to play football and represent the respectful people of Iran, be it the Iranians inside Iran or the Iranian diaspora,” he said.
Earlier in Tijuana, supporters gave the team a rousing sendoff, with one fan holding a sign reading: “Iran, you will never walk alone. Mexico stands with you.”
This is the first World Cup since 1930 in which a host nation has received a country with which it is at war.
