Iran has landed in the US for the opening of the World Cup after a landmark peace deal
Iran’s national soccer team arrived in the United States on Sunday, June 15, just hours before the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off against New Zealand. A peace agreement was announced between the United States and Iran. The timing added another remarkable chapter to what was already one of the most politically sensitive World Cup campaigns in recent memory.
The team landed in Los Angeles after a short flight from Tijuana, Mexico, where they were based in preparation for the tournament. Their arrival marked Iran’s first entry into the United States during the FIFA World Cup, months of uncertainty around travel and team preparations are coming to an end.
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| The Iranian team landed in Los Angeles for their World Cup debut against New Zealand amid high geopolitical tensions. pic.twitter.com/2L9zlei2B7— World in Conflict (@MundoEConflicto) June 14, 2026
Security was visibly increased around the team hotel, with police blocking off parts of the surrounding streets and extending barriers outside the site. Later in the evening, head coach Amir Ghalenoei and forward Mehdi Taremi were due to address the media ahead of Iran’s Group G opener against New Zealand.
The backdrop to the team’s arrival changed dramatically when US President Donald Trump and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced that a peace deal between the United States and Iran would be formally signed in Switzerland later this week.
It represented a rare moment of optimism for Iran after a World Cup dominated by events outside football.
WHAT ALL WENT WRONG AT THE IRANIAN CHAMPIONSHIP TOGETHER?
Iran’s preparations have been among the toughest of any team in the tournament.
The federation initially planned to set up its World Cup base camp in Arizona. However, escalating tensions between the United States and Iran following joint US-Israeli military strikes earlier this year forced a change of plans. Iran subsequently moved its operations to neighboring Mexico.
The political background remained visible even on Sunday. Demonstrators gathered near a stadium in Los Angeles, carrying banners criticizing the Iranian government and calling for democratic reforms. Several protesters displayed photographs of individuals they claimed had been arrested or killed during the country’s recent unrest.
Still, there was also the support of Team Melli. Before the flight from Tijuana, hundreds of fans lined the streets outside the team’s hotel, chanting and waving flags as the players boarded the bus. One banner read: “Iran, you will never walk alone. Mexico stands with you.”
WHEN IS IRAN PLAYING IN THE WORLD CUP?
Iran opened their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign against New Zealand on Monday at the Los Angeles Stadium.
The Group G match will be played under extraordinary circumstances, with the team arriving in the United States less than 24 hours early and against the backdrop of a newly announced peace deal.
After months dominated by politics, logistics and uncertainty, Iran now finally has a chance to focus on football and start their World Cup journey on the pitch.
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Issued by:
Debodinna Chakraborty
Published on:
15 Jun 2026 04:59 IST