Iran's Taremi criticises logistical issues, suggests side not welcome in US
Taremi said Iran faced unfair travel and visa problems, and 11 officials were denied visas as the team’s knockout hopes hung on other results.
- Following Friday's 1-1 draw against Egypt, Iran captain Mehdi Taremi labeled the 2026 World Cup logistics a "disaster," questioning whether his team was truly welcome in the United States.
- Due to ongoing conflict with the U.S., Iran shifted its training base to Tijuana, Mexico, while staff visa denials and restricted arrival windows severely limited team recovery time.
- Iran head coach Amir Ghalenoei stated the host country treated the squad "very unfairly," depriving players of adequate recovery time and forcing them to compete under restrictive conditions.
- While FIFA President Gianni Infantino promised improvements following the opening match, Taremi claims these issues persist as Iran awaits Saturday's results to determine if they advance to the knockout stage.
- Fans booed the national anthem and waved pre-revolutionary flags hours after U.S. strikes on Iran, highlighting the geopolitical tensions and intense pressure surrounding the squad's participation.
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Without having lost a single match, the selection of Iran has been eliminated from the 2026 World Cup. The team, which fell to third place after a dramatic tie with Egypt, spent the day waiting for the table of the best third parties to settle in their favor. Everything depended on Algeria-Austria: both had enough a tie to secure the standings, a result they achieved in three goals. Iran goes home after a tournament marked by war, the rejection …
Mehdi Taremi is disappointed that Fifa has failed to resolve the problems his team has faced since the start of the tournament on June 11. (EPA Images photo) ISTANBUL: Iran's captain has criticised Fifa and its president Gianni Infantino over the way world football's governing body has handled the 2026 World Cup, describing the treatment his team has received as 'unfair', Anadolu Agency reported. "This World Cup is a disaster," Mehdi Taremi told…
Political messages in the locker room after the matches. The ct: "America shameful for how he treated us" and Taremi attacks Infantino
Iran captain calls World Cup a ‘disaster’ after final group stage match
The captain of the Iranian men’s national football ripped FIFA and its president Gianni Infantino on Friday for its experience during the World Cup, as it awaits word on whether its tournament run has come to an end. “It’s a disaster World Cup,” Mehdi Taremi told reporters after Iran’s final group stage match against Egypt...
Iran's Taremi criticises logistical issues, suggests side not welcome ...
"As professional footballers, we cannot play a competition in these conditions, it is not right, it is not fair," believes Taremi.
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