US official defends visa restrictions on Iranian World Cup team

By Rohan Gupta — 2 July 2026 — 3 min read

The head of homeland security for the United States, Markwayne Mullin, expressed his satisfaction following Iran’s elimination from the World Cup. Mullin stated he “danced a happy dance” and “sung a song or two” after Iran failed to qualify for the next stage of the tournament. He noted that the Iranian team required more attention than any other team the US dealt with.

Mullin mentioned his happiness when the US was able to revoke Iran’s visas and instruct them to leave US soil. He added that he was pleased they were not returning, highlighting the significant time spent managing their presence.

Iran’s football federation responded to Mullin’s remarks, stating that Iranians are accustomed to the mistreatment and falsehoods from US officials. They expressed no surprise at what they termed “hostile remarks,” suggesting these comments reveal more about Mullin than about their team.

The federation’s statement criticised the remarks as reflecting a level of pettiness that cannot tolerate a football team competing on a global stage. It also questioned the US commitment to international law and the principles expected of a host nation for a major sporting event.

Travel and Visa Challenges

Iran’s team faced considerable restrictions throughout the tournament. Their training base was shifted from Arizona to Tijuana, Mexico, before the World Cup commenced. Under the terms of their visas, they were only allowed to enter the US the day before their initial two matches and had to depart on the same day.

These restrictions were eased for their final group match in Seattle, permitting them to arrive two days in advance. However, they were still required to return to Tijuana after the game. Iran’s coach, Amir Ghalenoei, described his team as the “most oppressed” at the tournament, citing unfair treatment and a reduced training window.

Ghalenoei stated that the US, as a co-host alongside Canada and Mexico, treated his team unfairly. He claimed his squad received less than half the necessary training time. Additionally, eleven members of Iran’s broader team, including the president of the Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI), were reportedly denied visas by US authorities.

Iran’s captain, Mehdi Taremi, echoed these sentiments, noting that the tension undermined the joy of the World Cup. He felt the tension from the moment of their arrival. Taremi also suggested that the US preferred Iran not to advance to the knockout stage.

Elimination and Farewell

Iran’s elimination from the World Cup was confirmed after a 1-1 draw with Egypt, despite a disallowed stoppage-time winner. They missed out on qualifying from the group stage based on goal difference. Their exit was finalised when Algeria and Austria played to a 3-3 draw.

Following their departure, the Iran team left a handwritten note at their training base in Tijuana, thanking the people of Mexico. The note expressed gratitude for the kindness received, stating that Mexico would always be considered a second home and second team. It also posed a fundamental question about whether all teams competed under equal conditions and professional standards.

The note concluded by suggesting that history might one day judge who genuinely welcomed Iran’s presence at the World Cup and who preferred their journey to end sooner. Mullin’s comments were made on Monday.

Source: bbc.com

Rohan Gupta

Sports Reporter