Iran Captain Mehdi Taremi Blasts FIFA Over Travel Chaos and Visa Issues at World Cup

Iran captain Mehdi Taremi has launched a sharp criticism of FIFA over what he described as poor logistics and unresolved visa issues affecting his team's FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign. Speaking after Iran's 1-1 draw against Egypt in Seattle, the striker said the governing body had failed to address concerns repeatedly raised by the team, forcing players to deal with exhausting travel schedules and a lack of support staff during the tournament.

‘It’s a disaster, World Cup disaster’

Iran's hopes of securing automatic qualification from Group G suffered a setback after they were held to a draw by Egypt. The result means Team Melli must now rely on other outcomes to determine whether they progress as one of the tournament's best third-placed teams.

Taremi, who missed an early penalty and later saw Iran denied a dramatic stoppage-time winner after a VAR review, directed much of his frustration towards the tournament's organisational arrangements.

When asked about the team's immediate return to its base camp in Tijuana, Mexico, after the match, Taremi said: "Yeah, we have to go back. We have always complained about these things since the beginning. It's a disaster, World Cup disaster. I mean, FIFA, they have to solve every problem here, but unfortunately, they couldn't solve it since the beginning."

The striker revealed that FIFA President Gianni Infantino had personally assured the team that their concerns would be addressed.

"Mr Infantino came to our changing room in the first game and said it's just the beginning, but it's the group stage finish tomorrow, and we don't have our logistics people here. They don't have a visa," said Taremi.

Iran has reportedly faced visa-related difficulties throughout the competition, leaving the squad without several key members of its support staff.

‘It’s not fair’: Taremi questions travel demands

The 33-year-old argued that repeated journeys between match venues and Tijuana had placed Iran at a competitive disadvantage.

"How possible we always have to travel to Tijuana? We love the people of Mexico; we love Tijuana. They are so humble people, we love them. But as professional players, in professional competition, it's not right. We have to travel again to Tijuana, so without recovery, without anything, it's not fair. In our opinion, it's not fair. If it's fair for FIFA, okay, good to them. But it's not fair," he added.

Questioning why the situation had not been resolved, Taremi said: "Who wants to help us? Who? If they want us to be out, okay, let's go out, let's get out. But that's not fair. We don't have recovery; we don't have any logistic people here to help us. What do we say? We always complain about these things, but no one helps. No one."

While acknowledging disappointment over VAR decisions, he insisted that the larger issue was what the team was facing away from the pitch.

"That's about the football. Sure. But we complain about outside the football because the details are important in football, and recovery is one of the important things. Small details affect football," he said.

"There are no words about the games because we did our best during 90 minutes, given the situation we had since the beginning till now. We are proud of ourselves, and if anything happens, it's my responsibility because I lose the penalty, and if we pass the group stage, yeah, thank God," he added.

FIFA accused of failing to keep promises

Asked whether he felt Iran was being treated unfairly, Taremi said: "We have to fight against everything here. I don't know if people want or not, but as we see it from our perspective, yeah, they like that, I think."

He continued his criticism of the tournament schedule and its impact on player recovery.

"How possible now, 90 minutes you play with a lot of stress, a lot of these things on our shoulders, then we have to go back again to Tijuana. You imagine we pass the group stage tomorrow, we get our luck, and we pass the group stage but we don't have any recovery. How possible is this? Just explain to me if you know."

Despite the difficulties, Taremi said the players remained committed to representing their nation.

"We do our best, we always do our best. We play for our people. We want them to be happy, we want to bring the joy, we want to send them a message of peace for the people in Iran, outside Iran, for FIFA, for everyone. But there is no peace about the others to us. Who has to solve this problem for us? Who? FIFA? I don't know, USA? I don't know. Who? Just mention one name for me," he said.

The forward also claimed FIFA had not followed through on assurances made earlier in the tournament.

"Infantino came in the first game and said we will solve every problem here, but actually, FIFA did nothing. Our logistics don't work here. Where is our media? You can check. No media here, no media, no kitmans, no one,” he added.

On the field, Egypt secured a historic place in the World Cup knockout stage for the first time after finishing unbeaten in Group G. Mahmoud Sabre opened the scoring after Mohamed Salah's effort was parried, before Ramin Rezaeian equalised for Iran. Rezaeian was named Player of the Match, but Iran's hopes of a crucial victory were dashed when a late goal was ruled out for offside following a VAR review, leaving the team anxiously awaiting confirmation of its fate in the tournament.

(With inputs from ANI)