Taremi: 'FIFA and US doing everything to eliminate Iran from World Cup'
US - Captain Mehdi Taremi believes FIFA and host nation US want to eliminate Iran from the 2026 World Cup, while President Gianni Infantino failed to keep his promises.
"This is a disastrous World Cup," Taremi said after the 1-1 draw with Egypt in the final match of Group G in Seattle, USA. "Mr. Infantino came to our locker room after the opening match against New Zealand and promised to resolve all issues, but in reality did nothing."
A reporter asked Taremi, "Do you feel the World Cup organizers, including FIFA and the US host, want Iran eliminated from the tournament?". The captain and forward replied: "We have to fight against almost everything. The team cannot stay in the US; we have to travel and go through immigration procedures every time we play. Like today, we were not allowed to stay in Seattle, but had to fly back to Tijuana. So from our perspective, it is true that they have done everything to eliminate Iran."
Iran forward Mehdi Taremi (number 9) and his teammates walk around the stadium to thank fans after the 1-1 draw with Egypt in the final match of Group G at the 2026 World Cup, in Seattle, USA, on June 26, 2026. Photo: AP
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The Iran national team entered the 2026 World Cup facing many logistical difficulties, stemming from conflicts with the US and Israel back home. Initially, Taremi and his teammates planned to base themselves in Tucson, Arizona, USA for convenience during matches, but were rejected. They had to move their headquarters to Tijuana, Mexico, and were only allowed to fly to the US one day before matches and had to return to Tijuana immediately after. 11 members of the Iranian delegation were also denied visas by the US, including Football Federation President Mehdi Taj.
"We don't have logistical staff because they don't have visas to enter the US. So after every match, the team has to fly back to Tijuana. This is not right, because the team has no time to rest and recover. FIFA should have handled the issue, but they couldn't do anything from the beginning. This is very unfair," Taremi added.
Despite the difficulties and obstacles, Iran still managed to draw 2-2 with New Zealand, 0-0 with Belgium, and then 1-1 with Egypt. This is the first time they have gone unbeaten in the group stage across their 7 World Cup appearances. With 3 points and a goal difference of 0, Iran finished third in Group G, ranking sixth in the standings of the best third-placed teams.
To advance, Iran must hope three specific results do not occur simultaneously. First, Algeria drawing with Austria in Group J, DR Congo defeating Uzbekistan in Group K, and Croatia securing points against Ghana in Group L. If these conditions are met, Iran will advance past the World Cup group stage for the first time.
Coach Amir Ghalenoei also criticized the host nation US for its unfair treatment of his team. The deprivation of their rights to participate in the World Cup has affected the players both physically and mentally.
2026 World Cup Standings
Third-placed teams Matches +/- Points [1
Mexico](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/mexico-16)
3
6
**9**[2
South Africa](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/nam-phi-1531)
3
-1
**4**[3
South Korea](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/han-quoc-17)
3
-1
**3**[4
Czech Republic](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/ch-czech-770)
3
-4
**1**[1
Switzerland](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/thuy-si-15)
3
4
**7**[2
Canada](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/canada-5529)
3
5
**4**[3
Bosnia & Herz.](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/bosnia-herz-1113)
3
-1
**4**[4
Qatar](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/qatar-1569)
3
-8
**1**[1
Brazil](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/brazil-6)
3
6
**7**[2
Morocco](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/morocco-31) 3 3 7[3
Scotland](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/scotland-1108)
3
-3
**3**[4
Haiti](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/haiti-2386)
3
-6
**0**[1
USA](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/my-2384)
3
4
**6**[2
Australia](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/australia-20)
3
0
**4**[3
Paraguay](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/paraguay-2380)
3
-2
**4**[4
Turkey](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/tho-nhi-ky-777)
3
-2
**3**[1
Germany](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/duc-25)
3
6
**6**[2
Ivory Coast](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/bo-bien-nga-1501)
3
2
**6**[3
Ecuador](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/ecuador-2382)
3
0
**4**[4
Curaçao](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/curacao-5530)
3
-8
**1**[1
Netherlands](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/ha-lan-1118)
3
6
**7**[2
Japan](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/nhat-ban-12)
3
4
**5**[3
Sweden](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/thuy-dien-5)
3
0
**4**[4
Tunisia](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/tunisia-28)
3
-10
**0**[1
Belgium](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/bi-1)
3
4
**5**[2
Egypt](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/ai-cap-32)
3
2
**5**[3
Iran](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/iran-22)
3
0
**3**[4
New Zealand](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/new-zealand-4673)
3
-6
**1**[1
Spain](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/tay-ban-nha-9)
3
5
**7**[2
Cape Verde](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/cape-verde-1533)
3
0
**3**[3
Uruguay](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/uruguay-7)
3
-1
**2**[4
Saudi Arabia](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/saudi-arabia-23)
3
-4
**2**[1
France](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/phap-2)
3
8
**9**[2
Norway](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/na-uy-1090)
3
1
**6**[3
Senegal](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/senegal-13)
3
2
**3**[4
Iraq](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/iraq-1567)
3
-11
**0**[1
Argentina](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/argentina-26)
2
5
**6**[2
Austria](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/ao-775) 2 0 3[3
Algeria](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/algeria-1532)
2
-2
**3**[4
Jordan](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/jordan-1548)
2
-3
**0**[1
Colombia](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/colombia-8)
2
3
**6**[2
Portugal](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/bo-dao-nha-27)
2
5
**4**[3
DR Congo](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/chdc-congo-1508)
2
-1
**1**[4
Uzbekistan](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/uzbekistan-1568)
2
-7
**0**[1
England](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/anh-10)
2
2
**4**[2
Ghana](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/ghana-1504)
2
1
**4**[3
Croatia](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/croatia-3)
2
-1
**3**[4
Panama](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/panama-11)
2
-2
**0**[1
Sweden](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/thuy-dien-5)
3
0
**4**[2
Ecuador](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/ecuador-2382)
3
0
**4**[3
Bosnia & Herz.](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/bosnia-herz-1113)
3
-1
**4**[4
Paraguay](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/paraguay-2380)
3
-2
**4**[5
Senegal](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/senegal-13)
3
2
**3**[6
Iran](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/iran-22)
3
0
**3**[7
Croatia](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/croatia-3)
2
-1
**3**[8
South Korea](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/han-quoc-17)
3
-1
**3**[9
Algeria](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/algeria-1532)
2
-2
**3**[10
Scotland](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/scotland-1108)
3
-3
**3**[11
Uruguay](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/uruguay-7)
3
-1
**2**[12
DR Congo](https://vnexpress.net/the-thao/world-cup-2026/doi-tuyen/chdc-congo-1508)
2
-1
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