Iran’s Physiotherapist Highlights Psychological Warfare and Inhumane Treatment at World Cup

Paulo Alexandre Araujo, the physiotherapist for the Iranian national team, has stirred significant controversy by criticizing the conditions surrounding the team’s participation in the 2026 World Cup. He emphasized that the squad faces substantial logistical and mental challenges throughout the tournament.

The Iranian team is preparing for a crucial match against Belgium in the second round of the group stage, following a balanced start with a 2-2 draw against New Zealand in their opening game.

Araujo pointed out that players are grappling with difficulties related to travel and limited recovery time, compounded by psychological pressures stemming from the tense political climate between Iran and the United States, which adds an extra burden on the team.

He noted that having to leave U.S. territory on match days negatively impacts physical recovery, stressing that this situation restricts players’ ability to regain their fitness adequately.

In remarks reported by The New York Times, Araujo described situations faced by the team as lacking fairness. He explained that players endure long waits at airports, sometimes lasting two to three hours, before undergoing stringent security measures that are unusual for them.

He added that post-match recovery has become nearly impossible due to time constraints, indicating that players receive only a few minutes in ice baths after games before having to leave quickly without sufficient rest periods.

Araujo concluded his statements by asserting that these conditions do not align with standards of fairness in sports competition, emphasizing that the management of recovery programs fails to provide players with optimal conditions for recuperation between matches.

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