Iran World Cup Team Ordered to Exit U.S. After Draw Amid Protests

After Iran's 2-2 draw with New Zealand in Group G, U.S. officials ordered the Iranian squad to leave the United States immediately; about 13 coaching staff were refused entry, and the team returned to its training camp in Tijuana with plans to stay in the U.S. between matches scrapped. Protests outside the Los Angeles stadium and the presence of pre-revolutionary flags highlighted political tensions, despite FIFA's ban on such symbols in stadiums. All three Iran group games were played in the U.S., and the team is now heading to Mexico to continue its World Cup campaign.