Iranians on oppression, Infantino calms them down, lion and sun in the stands

Iran at the World Cup in the United States has long been the least-covered news in football. It was like that before the tournament began, and it continued after Mehdi Taremi and his teammates' first game in Los Angeles.

Coach Amir Galenoi said after the draw with New Zealand (2:2) that his team was ordered to leave the US and return to their base in Mexico - just a few hours after the end of the match.

Galenoi did not reveal who ordered the Iranians to leave earlier than planned. The Iranian team had expected to spend the night in California to recover from the match, but after the match they were told that everyone had to immediately board a plane for the approximately 225-kilometer journey back to Tijuana.

"They didn't even give us time to recover. After the game they told us, 'You have to leave right away.' It's very important that we have time to recover, but they asked us to get on a plane and go back to our camp in Tijuana, and that really upsets us," Galenoi said.

Everything about the World Cup has been under great tension for the team since the US and Israel started a war against Iran on February 28. Iran ultimately decided to participate in the tournament even after FIFA rejected its request to move three group stage matches outside of US territory.

Iran captain Taremi said the team endured five hours of travel and security checks during the trip from Tijuana to Los Angeles.

"Honestly, we don't know why they're bringing us back. I think it's very strange. It seems like others are planning for us. Decisions are being made elsewhere. We were supposed to come two nights before the game and stay tonight to recover and come back tomorrow at lunchtime," Galenoi said.

- I think our team is perhaps the most oppressed at this World Cup - the Iran coach has no doubt.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino entered the Iranian dressing room after the match, and a recording of his message was shared online.

"You have shown your families, your friends, your people and the world that you are at the World Cup, that you are playing and that you have two more games to play," Infantino said through a translator.

"In those two games, you will once again make everyone in the world proud of what you do. Thank you for being here. I know what you are going through, I understand, but you are stronger than anything. You are sending a strong message to the whole world. You have united the entire stadium, the entire stadium has stood behind you, behind Tim Meli."

"You are writing history, the whole world is watching you. Continue to play with your heart, for your people, your family, the fans and for everyone in the world who falls in love with Tim Meli. You are stronger than anything," Infantino said.

The duel in California, which has many residents born or of Iranian descent, clearly demonstrated the division.

Before the game, between 300 and 500 protesters gathered outside the stadium, carrying banners demanding change in Tehran. They waved Iranian flags featuring a lion and sun, which date back to the pre-revolutionary era. Many of the same flags were seen in the stands during the game.

Some Iranian-Americans felt that attending the game could be interpreted as support for the Iranian government, while others said they wanted to put politics aside and support the players.