SHAH ALAM - Iran captain Mehdi Taremi has criticised FIFA and its president Gianni Infantino, describing Iran’s 2026 World Cup campaign as a “disaster” due to logistical issues, travel disruptions and what he says is a lack of institutional support.
His remarks come as Iran’s progression in the tournament remains dependent on other results.
Following a 1-1 draw with Egypt that left Iran in third place in Group G, Taremi said the conditions surrounding the team have made it difficult for them to function as a professional side at football’s biggest stage.
“It is a disaster World Cup, a disaster. FIFA has to solve every problem here but unfortunately they could not solve it since the beginning.
“Infantino came to our changing room after the first game against New Zealand and said, ‘It is just the beginning,’ but the group stage finishes tomorrow.
“We do not have our logistics people here; they do not have a visa. How is it possible we always have to travel from Tijuana? We love the people in Tijuana. We love Mexico.
“They are humble people and we love them but as a professional player in a professional competition, it is not right,” Taremi told reporters after the match.
The Iran squad has reportedly faced repeated travel disruptions between the United States (US) and Mexico-based training camps, with Taremi arguing that constant movement has affected preparation and recovery during the tournament.
“It is not fair. Our opinion is, it’s not fair. Is it fair for FIFA? Okay, good to them. But it is not fair. Who wants to help us? If they want us to be out, then okay; let’s get out. But that is not fair.
“We do not have recovery or logistic people to help us. We always complain about these things but no one helps, no one.
“We have to fight against everything here. I do not know what people want. How possible is it for us to play 90 minutes and then have to go back to Tijuana?” he questioned.
Iran’s situation has been further complicated by broader geopolitical tensions, which have affected travel arrangements and base camp logistics throughout the tournament.
The squad was initially expected to be based in Arizona before relocating operations to Mexico due to security and mobility constraints.
Despite the frustration, Iran remains mathematically alive in the competition. Their qualification now depends on other group-stage results, with a complex set of permutations determining whether they advance as one of the best third-placed teams.
The emotional strain on the squad has been evident. Forward Ramin Rezaeian delivered a raw post-match message reflecting the psychological weight carried by the players.
"I do not know why we are so unlucky, I just hope we qualify to the next round so our fans feel better. Our people deserve so much more than this. It did not matter if we died today, whatever happened, we just wanted our people to be happy.
“Despite fighting for months without expectations, Iranian players are desperately praying they still qualify to bring their people the joy they deserve. Our players tried their best and gave their all, for our people.
“We played such good football, I hope we will qualify to the next round,” he was reported as saying after the match.
The frustration has also been compounded by events during the Egypt match, where Iran believed they had secured a late winner.
Shoja Khalilzadeh thought he had scored in stoppage time after a scramble in the box, but VAR ruled the goal out for offside, leaving Iran on three points after two matches. Taremi also struck the bar late in the game, adding to the sense of missed opportunity.
The result means Iran’s fate now rests on other fixtures across Group J and beyond, with qualification scenarios involving multiple teams still unresolved.
For Taremi and his teammates, however, the focus has shifted beyond football alone, towards what they describe as a competition environment that has tested their ability to function under constant disruption.