FIFA makes political request to media at Iran World Cup press conference

 FIFA made a swift political request at the start of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s World Cup press conference ahead of Monday’s Group G clash with New Zealand inside Los Angeles’ SoFi Stadium.

Soccer’s global governing body requested that any and all questions posed to the Iranian team must strictly be about their game against New Zealand or the World Cup. FIFA sought to avoid obvious questions about the U.S.-Iran war, which had raged from late February until Sunday, when a deal was supposedly reached.

The war extended far past bombs and missiles being fired. The Iranian national team is not permitted to make the U.S. their home for the duration of their World Cup campaign. Their base camp had to be moved to the Mexican border city of Tijuana. A decomposing body with signs of violence was then found in a car near Iran’s World Cup camp.

Iran head coach Amir Ghalenoei outlined his team’s ambitions for their tournament. He says his team will represent the people inside Iran as well as the diaspora across the world, particularly in L.A., where there is a strong contingent.

“I’m glad we’re all here. I hope football brings joy. I hope the World Cup will go well despite the travel problems we’ve had. I hope it won’t affect the quality of our play,” he said.

“I want to let you know that we are here to play football. We’re here to represent the people of Iran, inside Iran and the diaspora. We are not political people. The slogan of FIFA is that football is separate from politics. We respect every Iranian,” Ghalenoei continued.

Ghalenoei took the opportunity to thank Mexico for its hospitality, after Iran’s base camp plans were forced into a swift change.

"Our camp was changed, and of course, that impacts us. I would like to thank the good people of Mexico," he said.

"We are accustomed to making opportunities out of hardship. This disruption will obviously impact the spirit of football without doubt."

Iran winger Mohammad Mehdi Mohebi also highlighted that it wasn’t just his team that was affected by strict U.S. rules.

Top Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan was denied entry into the U.S. over alleged terror ties — but had not provided evidence of such suggestions.

Several countrzes also have travel bans, including Haiti, Senegal, the Ivory Coast, and Iran.

"Of course, it is not just Iran that has been impacted, referees too. I have felt the tension from the first moment we arrived at this WC. When there is tension, we don’t have the same experience as peace and joy,” Mohebi said.

“Other countries had visa issues. Of course, the tension exists. The feeling people (usually) have about the World Cup, I think, people haven't had the same feeling about this one.

"This tension undermines joy, the message of FIFA. I think this WC could have provided a better atmosphere.”