“47 colleagues avoid me.” Iran’s coach reveals shocking isolation at the World Cup | sports

The Iranian national team’s technical director, Amir Qala Nooyi, sparked widespread controversy after he revealed his feeling of isolation during the 2026 World Cup, stressing that all 47 other coaches participating in the tournament are avoiding communicating with him, in a scene he described as unusual and reflects the exceptional circumstances that his country’s national team delegation is experiencing.

The Iranian coach said, in statements reported by The Athletic newspaper, that the team has been facing a different atmosphere since the beginning of the tournament than the rest of the teams, explaining that the members of the delegation feel isolated from the rest of the participants, whether in official activities or in side meetings that usually bring together team coaches during major competitions.

The difficulties did not stop there, as Nooy Castle revealed that the Iranian delegation was exposed to new logistical problems before the expected confrontation against the Belgian national team. He explained that the players had to stay for a long time carrying their bags, waiting for a solution to a problem related to the transportation process, after initial attempts to address it in a timely manner failed.

Despite these circumstances, the Iranian national team seeks to maintain its focus on the field, setting its sights on achieving positive results that will ensure it competes for a ticket to qualify for the next round.

While no official comment has been issued by FIFA or other teams regarding the “boycott” allegations, the Iranian national team remains facing a double test: surpassing its rivals on the field, and dealing with exceptional circumstances that its coach believes have made its participation in the 2026 World Cup one of the most complex experiences in the history of Iranian football.