Read 4 minutesJune 27, 2026 05:16 PM IST
Iran are currently without a win at the FIFA World Cup as they were held to a 1-1 draw against Egypt in Group G in Seattle on Saturday. The team, led by Mehdi Taremi, was originally supposed to be based in Tucson, Arizona for their World Cup campaign, after the US government stopped the country’s football team from setting up a base in the country during the US-Iran war, forcing the Iranian football team to leave the US city on the night of World Cup matches. Iran captain Mehdi Taremi has called the World Cup a ‘Disaster World Cup’ as well as FUFA and US officials.
“It’s a disaster World Cup; a disaster. I mean, FIFA, they want to solve every problem here but unfortunately they couldn’t solve it from the beginning. FIFA president Gianni Infantino came into our changing room after the first match against New Zealand and said, ‘This is the beginning…’ but the group stage ends tomorrow,” Taremi said on Saturday after the team’s defeat against Egypt.
Prior to the World Cup, it was uncertain whether Iran would participate in the tournament amid the US-Iran war, and the team received visas ten days before the start of the World Cup. After talks between the US government and FIFA, the Iranian team coached by Amir Galenoi arrived in Tijuana, Mexico for the World Cup, replacing Tucson, Arizona as their base for the World Cup. After the opening match against New Zealand in Los Angeles, the team and coaching staff were asked to leave the USA that night. After the second match against Belgium in Los Angeles, the team left the USA on the same day. Tarmi talked about how the team doesn’t have their logistics team and no one listens to the team’s complaints. “We don’t have our logistics people – they don’t have visas. How is it possible that we always have to travel through Tijuana? We love the people of Tijuana. We love Mexico. They are humble people and we love them but as a professional player in a professional competition, it’s not fair. It’s not fair. Our opinion, it’s not fair for FI. No.
Saturday’s defeat means Iran finish third in Group G with their future at the World Cup dependent on other results. iIan will be out of the World Cup if Algeria and Austria beat Uzbekistan and Croatia along with the Democratic Republic of Congo and draw against Ghana. Taremi also shared how difficult it was for Iranian players to travel immediately after their matches. “We have to fight everything here. I don’t know what the people want. As we look at it from our perspective, yes, I think they like it… How is it possible if we play 90 minutes and we have to go back to Tijuana?” said the Iranian captain.
After their opening match, FIFA President Gianni Infantino visited the team’s dressing room after the match and addressed the Iranian team. “I know what you’re going through, I understand. But you’re stronger than anyone and you’re sending a strong message to the whole world,” Infantino had told the team.