Iran demands 50-year US World Cup ban

Iran's national football team returned home on Wednesday to a heroes' welcome after ending its World Cup campaign unbeaten, but officials and supporters argued the result did not reflect the team's performances.

Iran finished third in Group G with three points after drawing all three matches against Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand, missing out on a place in the knockout stage.

Senior figures in Iranian football blamed tournament conditions and restrictions imposed during the competition for the team's early exit.

"For the next 50 years, this host country (US) cannot stage the World Cup," said Amir Mehdi Alavi of Iran's football federation.

"Not only Iran, but all the other teams were upset. Look at the match lighting; look at the hydration facilities provided for the players. It proved itself incapable of hosting."

Heydar Baharvand, president of the Iranian Football League Organisation, claimed the team's elimination was influenced by actions taken by the United States.

"Look, we are the only national team that was eliminated without a loss, and that was due to the sabotage carried out by the US government," he said.

Iran was based in Tijuana, Mexico, throughout the tournament after facing visa issues and restrictions on entering the United States.

One supporter, Karami, also criticised the tournament organisers, saying the team had not been treated fairly.

"The organising committee did not treat our national team with the fairness they deserved; they showed a lack of consideration regarding the flights to and from venues, which, to put it plainly, affected the boys' morale."

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is the first tournament to feature 48 teams and is jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. The competition runs from June 11 to July 19 across 16 host cities in North America.