Iran uses World Cup exit to criticize US, praise Mexico

Political tensions prompted the team to relocate its training base from Tucson, Arizona, to Club Tijuana in Mexico shortly before the tournament.

By Vered Weiss, World Israel News

Iran’s national soccer team used its World Cup exit to criticize the United States while praising Mexico for its hospitality, declaring Mexico its “second home” after spending much of the tournament based in Tijuana rather than the United States.

Shortly after being eliminated following Algeria and Austria’s 3-3 draw in the final group-stage match, the Iranian Football Federation thanked Mexico in a farewell message posted on the team’s official Instagram account while renewing criticism of U.S. travel and visa policies during the tournament.

The post featured clasped hands, one wearing a Mexico sweatband and the other an Iran sweatband, inside a soccer stadium with fireworks in the background.

“Thank you for opening your doors to us,” Team Melli wrote in Spanish. “Your act will stay in our hearts.”

Iranian officials contrasted their reception in Mexico with what they described as restrictions imposed by U.S. authorities.

Political tensions prompted the team to relocate its training base from Tucson, Arizona, to Club Tijuana in Mexico shortly before the tournament.

The federation said U.S. authorities required the Iranian delegation to enter the United States only one or two days before each match and return to Tijuana immediately afterward.

It also said several Iranian support staff members and federation officials were denied U.S. visas, prompting protests from Tehran.

In a farewell statement before departing, the federation said “true hosting is about respect, humanity, and dignity” and questioned whether it had competed under fair conditions during the tournament.

While in Tijuana, the team received strong local support. Mexican fans regularly greeted the squad by chanting, “Iran, brother, you are already Mexican.”

Iran captain Alireza Jahanbakhsh said the reception helped make the team feel welcome throughout its stay.

“That shows enough, I think. Wherever we go, we hear this,” Jahanbakhsh said. “So that shows how much love they give us and that makes it a lot easier. And I think for everyone else, it feels kind of home when we are there in Tijuana. And them coming all the way here to support us, it means a lot to us.”