Iran captain Mehdi Taremi has strongly criticised FIFA after his side’s 1-1 draw against Egypt at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, accusing the governing body of failing to resolve the team’s logistical problems. Head coach Amir Ghalenoei also questioned the treatment Iran received from co-host the United States, claiming the team faced unnecessary difficulties throughout the tournament.
The criticism came after Iran finished its group campaign without securing automatic qualification for the Round of 32. The team must now wait to see if it can advance as one of the best third-placed sides.
Taremi unhappy with FIFA’s response
Speaking after the match, Taremi said FIFA had assured the team that its concerns would be addressed, including discussions with FIFA president Gianni Infantino after Iran’s opening game. However, the striker claimed those promises did not translate into meaningful action.
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According to Taremi, "I mean, FIFA have to solve every problem here but unfortunately they could not solve it since the beginning. Mr Infantino came to our changing room after the first game against New Zealand and said, 'It's just the beginning...' but the group stage finishes tomorrow."
The captain of Iran’s National Team, Mehdi Taremi, calls out FIFA and the U.S.:
— Power to the People ☭🕊 (@ProudSocialist) June 27, 2026
“This is a disaster World Cup. We can’t stay in the country and have to travel every time we play without any recovery. Now we can’t stay in Seattle and have to return to Tijuana. This is not fair.” pic.twitter.com/z0gLN07bkB
Coach accuses USA of unfair treatment
Head coach Amir Ghalenoei backed his captain’s comments, alleging that Iran was not treated fairly by the tournament hosts. He claimed the team should have been allowed to arrive earlier before matches to prepare properly, adding that the restrictions placed the players at a disadvantage.
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Ghalenoei urged FIFA to ensure equal treatment for every participating nation, saying football should not be affected by political or administrative issues.
Knockout hopes still alive
Despite the frustration, Iran remains in contention for a place in the Round of 32 through the best third-placed teams route. The draw against Egypt kept those hopes alive, although qualification now depends on results elsewhere.
Taremi praised his teammates for remaining focused despite the challenges, saying they continued to fight for the country until the final whistle. While the criticism of FIFA and the hosts has grabbed headlines, Iran’s immediate focus remains on securing a place in the knockout stage. At the time of writing, FIFA had not issued a public response to the allegations made by the Iranian camp.
