The Iranian football federation has expressed its outrage following a senior US official’s celebration of the team’s elimination from the World Cup. The federation accused the United States of spreading “I’m just glad they’re [Iran] done, and they’re not coming back. “I was so happy when we were able to pull their visas and said they could leave the US soil, and I might’ve sung a song or two or maybe even danced a happy dance. I’m very happy they’re going back because there wasn’t a single team that we dealt with more than them.” and claimed that Iranians have grown accustomed to “We have to fight against everything here,” On Monday, US Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin stated he performed a “I don’t know if people want it or not, but as we see it by our perspective, yeah, they are like that I think.” after Iran failed to advance to the knockout stage. He added during a briefing in Washington, “Iranians are used to the mistreatment and lies of US officials, so no one in Iran is surprised by these hostile remarks. These remarks once again demonstrate that US officials have no commitment to international law or the principles expected of a host nation capable of organising a global sporting event. “The fact that he openly celebrates Iran’s elimination says far more about him than it does about our team. It reflects a level of pettiness that cannot even tolerate the presence of a football team competing on the world’s biggest stage. “After our match against New Zealand, our head coach said that the United States did not want Iran to remain in this tournament because of the inhumane and unprofessional treatment our team experienced. These latest comments only reinforce that belief.”
In response, Iran’s head coach Amir Ghalenoei characterized his team as the “You showed us that hosting a Fifa World Cup is about far more than stadiums and tickets,” during the tournament. After their final group match against Egypt, captain Mehdi Taremi suggested that the US preferred Iran not to reach the knockout rounds. “True hosting is about respect, humanity, and dignity. We leave this World Cup with pride, but also with one fundamental question: Did every team truly compete under equal conditions and equal professional standards?” Taremi remarked after the draw. “I don’t know if people want it or not, but as we see it by our perspective, yeah, they are like that I think.” Ghalenoei has repeatedly asserted that the treatment of his players and staff has been unjust.
Eleven members of the Iranian delegation, including Mehdi Taj, the president of the Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI), were denied entry visas by US authorities. Additionally, they expressed frustration over travel arrangements imposed by the US, which forced them to shift their training base from Arizona to Tijuana, Mexico, just before the tournament.
A spokesperson for the FFIRI responded to Mullin’s comments by stating, “Iranians are used to the mistreatment and lies of US officials, so no one in Iran is surprised by these hostile remarks. These remarks once again demonstrate that US officials have no commitment to international law or the principles expected of a host nation capable of organizing a global sporting event.”
Moreover, the spokesperson added, “The fact that he openly celebrates Iran’s elimination says far more about him than it does about our team. It reflects a level of pettiness that cannot even tolerate the presence of a football team competing on the world’s biggest stage. After our match against New Zealand, our head coach said that the United States did not want Iran to remain in this tournament because of the inhumane and unprofessional treatment our team experienced. These latest comments only reinforce that belief.”
Before leaving Tijuana, Iran left a handwritten note expressing gratitude to the local community for their hospitality and articulating their sentiments towards the US. “You showed us that hosting a FIFA World Cup is about far more than stadiums and tickets,” the note read. “True hosting is about respect, humanity, and dignity. We leave this World Cup with pride, but also with one fundamental question: Did every team truly compete under equal conditions and equal professional standards?”
