Iran captain Mehdi Taremi says his team are having a challenging World Cup experience amid the multifold disruptions created by their nation's war with the US, the tournament's co-host.
The Iranians arrived in the Los Angeles area on Sunday from their training base in Tijuana, Mexico - about 225 kilometres from the stadium where they will open group-stage play against New Zealand on Monday night.
Iran's training camp was relocated from the US after the war began, and the Iranian team has endured numerous distractions since then, including visa problems.
"I have felt the tension from the first moment we arrived at this World Cup," Taremi said through an interpreter. "At any tournament when there is tension, we won't have the same beautiful experience we always talk about with peace and joy. ...
