Iran coach cites travel and league disruptions after 0-0 draw with Belgium

Iranian coach Amir Ghalenoei said his team faced significant logistical hurdles before their World Cup group match against Belgium, which ended in a 0-0 draw. He noted that Iran had been under "war conditions" for six months, with the domestic league suspended, and that the squad had only one FIFA-approved friendly before the tournament. Ghalenoei added that it took 40 hours for the team to travel abroad for the match and that they were ordered to return to their base camp in Tijuana immediately after the game, leaving little time for recovery.

The match featured a notable save by Iran’s goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand, who stopped a shot from Maxime De Cuyper in the 59th minute. Belgium finished the game with more possession and chances, but were missing winger Jeremy Doku due to a respiratory infection. After the match, Belgium coach Rudi Garcia said, "We should have won this match today but when there are so few matches in the group you cannot miss an opportunity and we did. We have to show our best football. We have a lot of work [to do]."

Iran will face Egypt in their final group game, while Belgium plays New Zealand. The outcomes will determine which team advances to the knockout stage.