Overview
- Iran were eliminated from the World Cup after finishing third in Group G and missing one of the best third‑place spots on goal difference when a stoppage‑time winner was overturned by a narrow VAR offside call.
- DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin told reporters on Monday that he was “so glad” Iran were out, said U.S. officials had pulled their visas and admitted he “might’ve…danced a happy dance,” comments that several outlets quoted and recorded.
- The Iranian team had been forced to relocate its base from Tucson to Tijuana because of U.S. entry limits, were allowed into the United States only shortly before matches, and had multiple federation officials denied visas, which disrupted training and logistics.
- Iran’s football federation described Mullin’s claims as “false, fabricated and entirely baseless,” left a handwritten note thanking Tijuana for its kindness and said the team’s treatment had “undermined the sense of fairness.”
- FIFA has been contacted and no public resolution has been announced, and the row highlights how the U.S. designation of the IRGC and related visa rules can affect teams’ access, preparation and perceptions of host impartiality at global sporting events.