Taremi blasts FIFA after Iran’s World Cup logistics spiral

Iran captain Mehdi Taremi called FIFA’s handling of his team’s World Cup campaign a “disaster,” pointing to travel disruptions, visa problems, and a promise he says Gianni Infantino hasn’t delivered. With Iran finishing third in Group G, their passage to the r

When Mehdi Taremi walked out after Friday’s game, the frustration wasn’t just about football. It was about movement—where Iran’s team could go, how quickly they could get there, and who was supposed to make the logistics work.

“It’s a disaster World Cup; a disaster,” Taremi told reporters at full time on Friday. “I mean, FIFA, they have to solve every problem here but unfortunately they could not solve it since the beginning. Mr Infantino came to our changing room after the first game against New Zealand and said. ‘It’s just the beginning…’ but the group stage finishes tomorrow.”.

Iran’s campaign has been defined by delays and uncertainty. After a third group stage draw left them waiting for other results before they could learn whether they progressed. Taremi framed the wider picture as a breakdown FIFA should have addressed earlier. On Friday. he was preparing to travel following the match: the squad were due to fly out of Seattle and return to Tijuana in Mexico.

Their tournament base has already shifted once. The team had initially been due to be based in Tucson. Arizona during the tournament. but moved their base camp to Mexico at the end of May as the military conflict between the United States and Iran continued. The war began on February 28 when the U.S. and Israel targeted Iran with military strikes that killed their supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. prompting Iran to launch retaliatory strikes.

Taremi’s complaint was stark and specific.

“There were problems getting in and out of the U.S. for matches,” he said, and he added that Infantino had not delivered on his promise to improve the situation. He pointed to what he believes is an uneven setup on the ground.

“We don’t have our logistic people here — they don’t 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’s not right,” he said.

Taremi said the strain is not just inconvenience—it affects recovery and preparation. “It’s not fair,” he continued. “Our opinion is, it’s not fair. Is it fair for FIFA?. OK, good to them. But it’s not fair. Who wants to help us?. If they want us to be out, then OK; let’s get out. But that’s not fair. We don’t have recovery or logistic people to help us. We always complain about these things but no one helps, no one.”.

The criticism landed against a backdrop of words Infantino previously offered. In his opening World Cup speech in Mexico City, Infantino said he would have driven a bus from Tehran, Iran’s capital, to get the team to the tournament.

Taremi was also asked a direct question about whether he felt Iran were truly wanted in the competition—after his side’s earlier moments and setbacks. He responded by widening the scope of his frustration to the reality of playing through disruptions.

“We have to fight against everything here,” he replied. “I don’t know what people want. As we see it from our perspective, yeah, they like that I think…how possible is it if we play 90 minutes and we have to go back to Tijuana?”

Football, too, has offered little closure yet. Taremi missed a first half penalty in their draw with Egypt. On Friday, the draw with Egypt meant Iran finished third in Group G, but qualification for the knockout stages now depends on what happens next.

For Iran to reach the round of 32 as one of the best third-place sides, results must go their way during Saturday’s final round of group games. If Algeria and Austria draw in Group J, sending both through, DR Congo beat Uzbekistan and Croatia get at least a point against Ghana, then Iran are out.

The live predictor tool in the coverage gives Iran a 92 per cent chance of reaching the round of 32.

Under ordinary circumstances. the gap between a team’s chances on the pitch and a tournament’s readiness off it might feel separate. For Iran right now. they’re tangled together: a campaign that runs on outcomes beyond their control. and a schedule—Taremi’s words—that keeps forcing travel without the logistic support he says should come with competing at the highest level.

Mehdi Taremi FIFA Gianni Infantino Iran World Cup logistics Tijuana Seattle Group G Algeria Austria DR Congo Uzbekistan Croatia Ghana