Iran Accuses US Hosts of Unfair Treatment at 2026 World Cup

Iran’s head coach Amir Ghalenoei and captain Mehdi Taremi said the United States’ handling of their team’s logistics has hindered preparation and performance. After a 0-0 draw with New Zealand and a 1-1 draw with Egypt in Seattle—where a stoppage-time winner was ruled offside—their progression to the knockout stage now depends on other results. The pair argue that visa denials, forced travel, and delayed training access have placed the squad at a physical and mental disadvantage.

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• Group-stage opener vs New Zealand – Iran’s first match, after which FIFA president Gianni Infantino visited the dressing room.

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• June 27, 2026 – Draw with Egypt in Seattle – Iran was denied permission to remain in Seattle for the remainder of the group stage.

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• Subsequent relocation – The team was compelled to return to its base in Tijuana, Mexico, arriving there at 03:00 local time.

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• Travel disruptions – Repeated flights between Seattle and Tijuana added three hours of travel before each match, a pattern the coach described as the “third time” it occurred.

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These events occurred despite Iran’s request to arrive two weeks earlier for acclimatization and recovery.

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FIFA president Gianni Infantino told the Iranian squad, “You are stronger than everything,” after the New Zealand match. Ghalenoei acknowledged Infantino’s attempts to mitigate issues but maintained that the host nation’s actions remained “unfair.” Taremi criticized FIFA’s overall handling, noting that senior officials were denied U.S. entry and that the team lacked logistical support throughout the tournament.

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Iran’s officials contend that the United States applied “reasonable, rational demands” selectively, denying early entry and imposing travel that disrupted recovery. They argue that such treatment contradicts the tournament’s commitment to equal conditions for all participants. No public response from U.S. authorities or the Department of State was identified in the sources.

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• “you are stronger than everything” — Gianni Infantino, FIFA President

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• “I urge Fifa to not let the hosts treat teams and players the same way in the future. I hope Mr Infantino will actually stand up to such behaviour.” — Amir Ghalenoei, Iran head coach

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• “Since the beginning, it’s a disaster World Cup. I mean, Fifa, they have to solve every problem here but unfortunately this they couldn’t solve since the beginning. Mr Infantino came to our changing room [after the] first game and he said: ‘It’s just the beginning.’ But [the] group stage finishes tomorrow and we don’t have our logistic people here, they don’t have a visa. How [is that] possible?” — Mehdi Taremi, Iran captain

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• “Their behaviour towards us has been really terrible and we hope the world will be aware of that.” — Amir Ghalenoei, Iran head coach

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The Iranian side alleges systematic bias, while U.S. officials have not issued a statement addressing the visa denials or travel restrictions. The precise criteria used by U.S. immigration authorities for the team’s entry remain unspecified in the available reports.

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Iran’s qualification for the knockout stage hinges on the outcomes of remaining group matches on June 28. The team’s complaints may prompt further review by FIFA’s disciplinary bodies and could influence logistical protocols for future tournaments.

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