Iran World Cup coach says 'impacted' by politics but ignoring 'hype'

AI Summary

Iran's World Cup coach Amir Ghalenoei stated that political tensions and visa issues have affected their preparations, but the team will try to ignore the political hype. The backdrop includes diplomatic tensions between Iran and the United States during the tournament.

Iran's coach Amir Ghalenoei said on Sunday political tensions and visa issues have damaged his side's preparations for the World Cup but insisted his players will not "pay attention to any of the hype." Iran have arrived at the tournament under the shadow of a bitter diplomatic row, after the United States -- in military conflict with Iran for months -- refused to issue visas for some team support staff. They play their opener against New Zealand in Los Angeles on Monday, marking the first time that a World Cup host has hosted a country with which it is at war.