Kenya Minute.
Friday, 26 June 2026
Kenya’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Friday, 26 June 2026
Nairobi—:—London—:—New York—:—Beijing—:—
Kenyan press · Person

Amir Ghalenoei

Also known as: Coach Amir Ghalenoei

Amir Ghalenoei — Iran's World Cup coach managing the team during travel restrictions and geopolitical tensions with the United States.

2026-05-142026-06-26

In coverage

Verbatim sentences from the source article.

  1. May 2026
  2. Citizen Digital

    Coach Amir Ghalenoei and the president of Iran's football federation, Mehdi Taj, were also present.

    Iran holds World Cup send-off for national football team
Sport

Egypt and Iran face World Cup knockout match amid geopolitical tension

The News

Egypt and Iran both have chances to progress from their final group game on Friday, but the match is overshadowed by U.S.-Iran geopolitical tensions and a regional conflict that began with U.S. and Israeli strikes in February. Iran has faced travel restrictions during the tournament, with their coach describing them as the "most oppressed team."

25 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

Yesterday

  1. Egypt and Iran face World Cup knockout match amid geopolitical tension

    Egypt and Iran both have chances to progress from their final group game on Friday, but the match is overshadowed by U.S.-Iran geopolitical tensions and a regional conflict that began with U.S. and Israeli strikes in February. Iran has faced travel restrictions during the tournament, with their coach describing them as the "most oppressed team."

    25 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

Wednesday 24 June

  1. US eases Iran team arrival rules for World Cup match

    The US Department of Homeland Security has eased travel restrictions on the Iranian team for the World Cup, permitting them to arrive in Seattle two days before their June 26 match instead of one day before. The team will still be required to leave the day the match ends.

    24 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

  2. US eases Iran team arrival rules for World Cup match

    The US Department of Homeland Security has eased travel restrictions on Iran's team during the World Cup, allowing them to arrive in Seattle two days before their June 26 match instead of one day before, though they must still leave the day the match ends.

    24 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

Monday 22 June

  1. Iran coach praises unbeaten World Cup start after Belgium draw

    Iran's coach Amir Ghalenoei called the team's 0-0 draw with Belgium a "great achievement," noting Iran remains unbeaten in two opening games despite visa and travel restrictions from their base camp in Mexico. Ghalenoei said the team's performance will be remembered in Iranian football history, and he thanked Iranian supporters in Los Angeles who backed the team despite opposition from the Persian exile community.

    22 June 2026 · The Standard

Wednesday 17 June

  1. Iranian forward obtains US visa for World Cup tournament

    Iranian forward Mehdi Torabi received a new multiple-entry US visa after initially being granted only single-entry permission, allowing him to play the remainder of the tournament. The Football Federation and FIFA coordination secured the visa, enabling Torabi to travel with the squad for upcoming matches including games against Belgium and Egypt.

    17 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

  2. Mbappe scores twice as France beats Senegal 3-1

    Kylian Mbappe scored twice in France's 3-1 World Cup win against Senegal at MetLife Stadium, with Bradley Barcola also scoring. Mbappe's 14 World Cup goals move him level with Gerd Mueller as the third-highest scorer in World Cup history.

    17 June 2026 · The Standard

Tuesday 16 June

  1. Iran coach claims team faces oppressive conditions at World Cup

    Coach Amir Ghalenoei said Iran is the "most oppressed team in the World Cup" after players were ordered to return to Mexico immediately following their opening match in Los Angeles. The squad has faced visa delays for support staff, last-minute travel documents for players, and a forced relocation of its training camp from Arizona to Mexico due to logistical issues amid tensions between Iran and the United States.

    16 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

  2. Iran draws 2-2 with New Zealand in World Cup opener

    Iran twice came from behind to draw 2-2 with New Zealand in their World Cup opening match, with goals from Elijah Just for New Zealand offset by equalizers from Ramin Rezaeian and Mohammad Mohebi. The match took place amid military conflict between Iran and the United States, visa delays, visa refusals, and protests both against the team and in support of Iran.

    16 June 2026 · The Standard

Monday 15 June

  1. Iran World Cup coach cites political tensions but urges focus

    Iran's coach Amir Ghalenoei said political tensions and visa issues have damaged preparations for the World Cup but insisted his players will not "pay attention to any of the hype." The team faces New Zealand in Los Angeles on Monday, marking the first time a World Cup host has hosted a country with which it is at war.

    15 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

  2. Spain drawn 0-0 by World Cup debutant Cape Verde

    Spain were held to a goalless draw by World Cup first-timers Cape Verde on Monday in their Group H opener, despite 74 percent possession and being regarded as strong pre-tournament favourites. Cape Verde, a volcanic archipelago of 525,000 people ranked as 2000-1 outsiders by betting websites, secured an improbable point in their inaugural World Cup match.

    15 June 2026 · The Standard

Thursday 14 May

  1. Iran holds World Cup send-off ceremony for national team

    Iran held a send-off ceremony Wednesday in Tehran's Enghelab Square for the national football team ahead of the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada. The team will face New Zealand, Belgium and Egypt in Group G, opening against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15.

    14 May 2026 · Citizen Digital

Amir Ghalenoei — Kenyan press coverage · Kenya Minute