Amir Ghalenoei responds to critics: Problems and the reason behind the clock incident
Iran national team coach Amir Ghalenoei addressed pre-World Cup 2026 issues and criticism in a press conference. He thanked the people and players while detailing the team's preparation. Iran's last result, a 1-1 draw with Egypt (2026-06-27), shows the team's strong form.
Travel and preparation challenges
Ghalenoei discussed the difficulties of traveling to the US and Mexico. He said: "Until two weeks before the World Cup, we didn't know if we were going to the US or Mexico." He also thanked the people and government of Mexico for their support during tough times.
Criticism and Ghalenoei's response
The Iran coach responded to criticism, saying: "Some people make comments without proper research." He also thanked Mehdi Taj and the Football Federation members for their support during difficult times.
Friendly matches and challenges
Ghalenoei talked about the difficulties in arranging friendly matches with teams like Spain, North Macedonia, and Puerto Rico. He said: "Due to the war situation, no team was willing to play against Iran."
Future of the national team
The Iran coach said: "We made sure all Iranians, both inside and outside the country, support the national team." He also thanked the players and people for their support in tough times. Iran has remained unbeaten in their last five matches with a record of 1W-4D-0L.
