Iran's Foreign Ministry has accused FIFA World Cup 2026 hosts of treating the country's national football team in a "politicised" manner following its group-stage elimination from the tournament. The remarks came after Iran failed to advance to the knockout rounds despite remaining unbeaten, drawing all three of its Group G matches.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said the Iranian delegation faced several difficulties throughout the competition, including visa-related issues and logistical challenges. According to Iranian officials, several technical staff members and federation officials were denied visas, while the team was also forced to shift its base camp from Arizona in the United States to Tijuana in Mexico before the tournament began.
Iran's football authorities and coaching staff have argued that these disruptions affected the team's preparations and competitive fairness. Head coach Amir Ghalenoei previously claimed that Iran had been treated "very unfairly" during the World Cup, citing travel restrictions and administrative hurdles.
The controversy intensified after U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin publicly expressed satisfaction over Iran's elimination, saying he was "glad" the team was out of the tournament. Iran's Football Federation strongly condemned the remarks, calling them unprofessional and accusing U.S. officials of spreading misinformation about the Iranian delegation.
On the pitch, Iran's campaign ended in heartbreak. Team Melli drew with Belgium, New Zealand and Egypt but finished third in Group G and missed out on a place among the best third-placed teams. Their final match against Egypt ended in further frustration after a late goal was ruled out for offside following a VAR review.
Despite their disappointment, the Iranian squad thanked the people of Tijuana for their hospitality, describing Mexico as their "second home." However, the country's officials maintain that politics overshadowed football during their World Cup journey and have urged future host nations to ensure that sporting events remain free from political considerations.
