Coach Amir Ghalenoei said Iran is the "most oppressed team in the World Cup" after his players were suddenly informed they must travel back to Mexico immediately after their opening game ended in Los Angeles late Monday.
It is the latest logistical nightmare for an Iran squad that arrived at the tournament being co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada under the shadow of a bitter diplomatic row between Tehran and Washington.
The US -- which was in military conflict with Iran for months, until a peace deal was announced on Sunday -- refused to issue visas for some team support staff, and provided travel documents to players only at the last minute.
The team was originally intending to base its training camp in Tucson, Arizona but moved it at the 11th hour to Tijuana in Mexico due to the visa and logistical issues.
"They delayed our arrivals, (now) they are forcing us to go back early without time for recovery," Ghalenoei told journalists following a 2-2 draw with New Zealand.