World Cup 2026: Taremi Blasts FIFA Over Iran’s World Cup Struggles in Fiery Interview

Taremi hits out as Iran face exit  

After missing a penalty and seeing a late winner ruled out by VAR, Olympiacos striker Mehdi Taremi targeted FIFA. He cited visa denials, travel restrictions and a last-minute move to Tijuana.

Iran’s Taremi criticises FIFA after Egypt 1-1 draw...

Iran forward Mehdi Taremi blasted FIFA over a “disaster” World Cup away from the pitch after his team’s knockout hopes were left hanging by a 1-1 draw with Egypt in Seattle on Friday night. 

Iran ended third in Group G after drawing all three matches. They are currently among the eight highest-ranked third-place teams, but with three groups still to be decided on Saturday, progressing further looks unlikely.

Taremi saw a first-half penalty saved, and VAR later disallowed what would have been a stoppage-time winner after Shoja Khalilzadeh was ruled offside by a toe. 

The Olympiacos forward played down the result in his mixed-zone interview, using the moment instead to speak out about the difficulties Iran are facing off the pitch.

Iran were unable to base themselves in the US for the tournament after a late switch moved them to Tijuana, and their travel has also been affected by strict entry requirements for matches in the US. 

On top of that, several backroom staff were barred from attending games after their visa applications were rejected.

He explained: “It's a disaster World Cup. A disaster. FIFA has to solve every problem here, but unfortunately, they haven't solved it since the beginning. Mr. Infantino came to our changing room in the first game, and he said, It's just a beginning, but the group stage finishes tomorrow, and we don't have our logistics people here. They don't have a visa.”

 “How is it possible we always have to travel to Tijuana. We love the people of Mexico. We love Tijuana. It's so good. They are such humble people. We love them.

“But as a professional player, professional competition, it's not right. It's about our opinion, because now we have travelled again, going to Tijuana again. So without recovery, without nothing. But in our opinion, it's not fair. Is it fair for FIFA? Okay, good to them. But it's not fair.”

Asked whether he felt Iran’s national side had been let down during this World Cup, he said: “No, we do our best, always do our best. We play for other people. We want them to be happy. We want to bring the joy. We want to send a message of peace to the people. In Iran, outside Iran, for FIFA, for everyone. But there is no peace about the others to us.”