Iran's coach Amir Ghalenoei said on Sunday political tensions and visa issues have damaged his side's preparations for the World Cup but insisted his players will not "pay attention to any of the hype."

Iran have arrived at the tournament under the shadow of a bitter diplomatic row, after the United States -- in military conflict with Iran for months -- refused to issue visas for some team support staff.

They play their opener against New Zealand in Los Angeles on Monday, marking the first time that a World Cup host has hosted a country with which it is at war.

Protests are planned outside the stadium by members of the Iranian diaspora opposed to the nation's hardline regime, and there have been threats that the Iran team could walk off the pitch if anti-government banners are displayed.

"We are here to perform a good match, a high-quality match. We don't pay attention to any of the hype and anything that goes on around us," Ghalenoei said in a press conference in response to a question from AFP.

"Naturally, all teams have their own problems, and in many countries, many things happen that have nothing to do with football."

The coach said his team are simply at the World Cup to "represent the respectful people of Iran, be it the Iranians inside Iran or the Iranian diaspora."

"We are not political people... football is separate from politics," said Ghalenoei.

The press conference took place barely an hour after a peace deal between the US and Iran was announced, bringing an "immediate and permanent" end to miltary operations on all fronts.

Controversy surrounding the Iran team has drawn headlines but is far from the only political issue affecting the World Cup that the US is co-hosting with Mexico and Canada.

Somali referee Omar Artan was denied entry to the US for the World Cup, as have been many fans.

"It's not just Iran that has been impacted, as you know," said star striker Mehdi Taremi.

"Others, including a referee, have been impacted."

He said the tension surrounding the tournament "undermines that joy and it undermines the message of FIFA or people, which is about football that brings about peace."

"I have felt the tension from the first moment we arrived at this World Cup, and whenever at any tournament there is tension, of course, we don't have the same beautiful experience that we always talk about, about peace, joy for the people of every country."

Iran was originally supposed to base their training camp in the US, but switched to Tijuana in Mexico at late notice.

"We arrived late, and we didn't have enough time to adjust... it will affect us, but God willing, I know that my players are very determined to do their utmost and show the highest quality," said Ghalenoei.

"Of course, our camp was changed twice, first it was in the United States, then we were transferred to Mexico and of course that impacts us," the coach added.

"But we Iranians make opportunities out of hardship, and we don't think about anything other than bringing joy to our people, and we will do our utmost, and the rest is up to God the Almighty."

Iran has never reached the knockout rounds of a World Cup. Their Group G also contains Belgium and Egypt.

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Iranian football legend Khodadad Azizi, who played in the first World Cup meeting between Iran and the United States in 1998, has told AFP that football should promote "peace" and remain separate from politics.

Azizi, 54, was speaking as Iran prepare to play their first match at the World Cup co-hosted by the United States, the country they have been at war with since February.

Nicknamed Team Melli, Iran will open their World Cup campaign against New Zealand in Los Angeles on Monday, hoping to reach the knockout stage for the first time in their history.

"If we beat New Zealand, we will advance from our group, and that is not a difficult task," Azizi said in an exclusive interview.

The match comes after the Iranian squad has had to overcome a series of additional hurdles. 

They relocated the team's base camp from Tucson, Arizona to the Mexican border city of Tijuana and said the US initially refused visas for 15 members of the delegation, including football federation chief Mehdi Taj.

Azizi was part of the Iran side that defeated the United States 2-1 in the countries' first World Cup meeting at the 1998 tournament in France.

In a widely remembered gesture before kick-off, players exchanged flowers, while Iranian captain and goalkeeper Ahmadreza Abedzadeh presented Iranian handicrafts to the American side.

Azizi recalled that a group photo was also proposed by organisers.

"Because it was about football, and there were political differences between the governments, the idea of a group photo was proposed, since football is a symbol of peace," Azizi told AFP.

- Football above politics -

The former striker, nicknamed "the speedy gazelle" by Iranian commentators, said he did not observe any inappropriate behaviour during the match, which ended with FIFA awarding both sides the Fair Play award.

"I personally exchanged jerseys with the player wearing the number two in the US squad (Frankie Hejduk)," Azizi said. "Through this gesture in the match against the US, we wanted to show that football is above politics."

Azizi, now a television commentator in Iran, said he regretted that the atmosphere at the current tournament is "filled with nothing but politics".

On the treatment of teams entering the United States, he added: "I have never seen this level of strictness regarding teams' entry", and contrasted it with what he described as the "respect and dignity" shown in 1998.

Azizi also criticised FIFA, saying: "How is America any different from Germany or France?

"Do you think the players have any other choice? These issues are happening because of FIFA's weakness," he added.

Despite the controversies, Azizi said the Iran team members had told him via messaging apps that they were thinking about matters on the pitch.

"The team is not thinking about these matters at all; they are laser-focused on football," he said.

He also dismissed criticism from Iranian dissidents who accuse the team of representing the authorities rather than the public.

"A player plays for his country, not for political reasons," Azizi said.

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