Iran are aiming for elimination as coach Amir Ghalenoei avoids the pride celebration debate

Iran will look to secure a place in the knockout stages of the FIFA World Cup when they face Egypt on Friday, with coach Amir Ghalenoei insisting his side will focus solely on football and refuse to be drawn into the debate surrounding the Pride celebrations planned for the match.

Melli’s team battled to draws against Belgium and New Zealand, leaving them with an outside chance of winning Group G despite travel hurdles that forced the team into and out of the United States shortly before and after their matches.

The United States has eased travel restrictions ahead of the clash in Egypt, although the Iran Football Federation said on Wednesday that officials were still “causing problems” during the team’s trip from their base in Mexico to the Group G clash.

Ghalenoei admitted the earlier restrictions took a toll on his players, but believes the team is now in a better position physically.

“The previous travel restrictions affected us physically,” Ghalenoei told reporters on Thursday. “Now we are fit and in a better position.

He added that being allowed to enter the United States earlier before the game was something Iran should have received from the beginning.

“It was our right to have in the two previous games,” he said.

The build-up to Friday’s game has also been dominated by talk of local organizers labeling the game in Seattle a “Pride Match”.

Before Ghalenoei’s press conference began, a FIFA official read a statement from the Iranian Football Federation, informing reporters that the coach would only answer questions about the Egypt match.

Although Ghalenoei raised the issue of travel restrictions himself, he repeatedly refused to address questions about the Pride celebrations, echoing a stance previously taken by Egypt coach Hossam Hassan.

“We will be positive,” Ghalenoei said. “We will not think of any other problems. We are trying to bring joy to our people.”

“All our focus will be on tomorrow’s game and success tomorrow,” he added. “We just want to talk about football, how beautiful the game is and how enjoyable it will be.”

With a place in the last 32 within reach, Iran know victory over Egypt would cap off an impressive group stage campaign despite the challenges they have faced off the pitch.

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Issued by:

Saurabh Kumar

Published on:

26 Jun 2026 07:00 IST