Undefeated, but out of the competition as the ninth best third-placed team, the Iranian team experienced one of the most controversial chapters of the tournament. Players and the country’s press spared no criticism of the organization, FIFA and the host country.
“They did everything to eliminate us”
Captain Mehdi Taremi was the main spokesman for the Iranian uprising. After the draw against Egypt, he didn’t hold back:
“This is a disastrous World Cup. As professional players, we cannot compete in a competition under these conditions. It is not right and it is not fair. FIFA promised to solve the problems, but did nothing. They did everything to eliminate us.”
Taremi directly cited logistical difficulties, such as constant migration controls, the impossibility of training in the United States and the need to return to Tijuana, Mexico.
For the attacker, there was a clear intention to harm Iran.
Coach Amir Ghalenoei reinforced the speech, stating that Iran was “the most oppressed team of the entire World Cup”. He highlighted the political restrictions that affected the delegation from the beginning, including the absence of part of the technical committee due to visa problems.
Even with just three draws, the team left the field with their heads held high and with the strong feeling that external factors weighed more than football.
The Iranian press: “Harmed by politics and combination”
Iran’s media was even harsher. Newspapers and agencies such as IRNA, Tasnim and Fars published articles with titles such as “Unjust Elimination” and “Conspiracy against Iran”.
The outlets accuse the draw between Austria and Algeria of being “suspicious” and call for an official FIFA investigation, comparing the situation to the infamous “Game of Shame” of 1982.
They also denounce what they classify as “discriminatory treatment” by the United States, citing travel restrictions, limited crowds and a lack of logistical support.
Furthermore, they emphasize that Iran emerged undefeated, but was eliminated due to “bureaucratic and political details”.
For the local press, the Iranian campaign was marked by obstacles off the field since the draw: games on American territory amid geopolitical tensions, unfulfilled promises by FIFA and a widespread feeling that the delegation was “not welcome”.
A bitter but dignified goodbye
While the world discusses the drama of the last play in Kansas City, Iran says goodbye to the 2026 World Cup with a clear message: on the field, they compete on equal terms.
Outside of it, however, players, coaching staff and the press claim to have been victims of a scenario that mixed sport, politics and injustice.
It now remains to be seen whether FIFA will respond to the demands or whether the episode will go down in history as yet another controversies in a World Cup already marked by controversies.
