Iran captain Mehdi Taremi questioned whether his team was truly welcome at the FIFA World Cup after a 1-1 draw with Egypt on Friday, sharply criticizing the conditions under which the side was forced to compete in the United States.
Taremi endured a frustrating evening, missing an early penalty and heading against the crossbar before a late goal that would have secured Iran’s place in the knockout stages was disallowed for offside.
The match took place against the backdrop of heightened geopolitical tensions. Some fans waved pre-revolutionary Iranian flags and booed the national anthem just hours after the United States launched attacks on Iran, with both countries accusing each other of violating a ceasefire agreed last week.
Iran has also faced travel complications during the tournament. Although US authorities allowed the team to travel from its base in Tijuana, Mexico, two days before the match instead of one, Taremi said the arrangements remained unfair and labeled the tournament’s logistics a «disaster.»
«FIFA, they have to solve every problem here, but unfortunately they couldn’t do that from the beginning,» Taremi told reporters.
He added that FIFA president Gianni Infantino had visited the Iranian dressing room after the opening match and assured the team that «this is just the beginning», but complained that with the group stage almost over, the team’s logistics staff were still unable to join them.
“How is it possible that we always have to travel to Tijuana?” Taremi said. “We love the people of Mexico. We love Tijuana. They are such humble people.
«We love them. But as professional players, that’s not right in a professional league.»
The striker also wondered whether Iran’s participation in the tournament was really desirable, despite the fact that the team still has a chance to reach the round of 16 depending on the results in Saturday’s group matches.
«Who wants to help us? Who?» Taremi asked. «If they want us to leave, okay, let’s leave, let’s leave. But that’s not fair.»
Published on June 27, 2026
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