Iran coach asks FIFA to challenge US treatment at World Cup
After a 1-1 draw with Egypt in Seattle, Iran accused the United States of unfair treatment during a difficult World Cup campaign.
By Daniel Okafor · Business Editor
3 min read
Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei urged FIFA to confront the United States over what he called unfair treatment of his squad during the 2026 World Cup, Reuters reported. The complaint followed Iran’s 1-1 draw with Egypt in Seattle, a result that left the team waiting to see whether it would reach the knockout rounds for the first time.
Iran finished third in Group G and remained in contention for one of the eight round-of-32 places available to third-place teams, according to Reuters. The result came after a stoppage-time goal by Shojae Khalilzadeh was ruled out for offside following a VAR review.
Ghalenoei said after the match that the host had not treated Iran well and called on FIFA President Gianni Infantino to act. Reuters quoted him as saying FIFA should prevent host countries from treating teams and players that way in the future.
Iran’s tournament has been marked by travel and logistical problems, Reuters reported. The team had moved its base from Tucson, Arizona, to Tijuana, Mexico, because of the war in the Middle East, and had to travel between Mexico and the United States for its three group matches.
Reuters reported that Iran were not allowed to stay overnight in the United States after their third straight match and were due to fly back to Tijuana early Saturday. Ghalenoei said the situation had hurt the team’s ability to train, recover and prepare mentally and physically.
Team captain Mehdi Taremi described the World Cup as a “disaster” because of the way he said Iran had been treated, rather than because of the team’s play, Reuters reported. Taremi said some members of Iran’s logistics staff did not have visas to travel with the squad, and he pointed to the limited presence of Iranian media at matches and news conferences.
On the field, Iran fell behind to Egypt in the fifth minute before equalising nine minutes later, Reuters reported. The match stayed level through the second-half hydration break before Iran pushed for a winner.
Khalilzadeh appeared to score in stoppage time during a crowded sequence near Egypt’s goal, but the scoreboard later showed a VAR challenge and the goal was disallowed. Iran continued to press and hit the crossbar before the final whistle.
The match took place while Seattle was holding its annual PrideFest, Reuters reported. The city’s host committee had unofficially designated June 26 as a “Pride Match” before the World Cup draw set Egypt against Iran, though Reuters reported no official Pride activities were visible inside the stadium or at FIFA’s fan festival.
Several rainbow flags were visible among spectators, according to Reuters. Outside the stadium, hundreds of supporters of Reza Pahlavi, a prominent opponent of Iran’s Islamic Republic, gathered peacefully before kickoff.
Ghalenoei praised his players after the match and said Iran had performed well despite the problems it faced, Reuters reported. As after a previous group match in Los Angeles, Iran left a handwritten note in the dressing room thanking Seattle and Iranian supporters before heading to the airport for the return trip to Tijuana.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.